Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Corrupt, rotten (morally or institutionally): Describes a system, organization, or society that is fundamentally decayed, dishonest, and morally bankrupt from its core.
   • Putrid, rotten (literally): Describes organic matter that is decomposing and emitting a foul smell. This meaning is less common in modern usage for the compound "thối nát," which is more figurative.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Bộ máy chính quyền đó đã trở nên thối nát. (That government apparatus has become corrupt.)
  • Những tệ nạn ấy là biểu hiện của một xã hội thối nát. (Those social evils are manifestations of a rotten society.)
  • Mùi thối nát bốc lên từ đống rác. (A putrid smell rose from the garbage pile.)

Advanced Usage

• Used primarily as a strong, condemnatory term for systemic moral and ethical decay, rather than for individual minor faults.
• Often applied to political regimes, bureaucratic systems, or social orders perceived as irredeemably dishonest or degenerate.

Variants and Related Words

• Thối (adj): To be rotten, to stink (can be used for both literal smells and figurative corruption).

  • Thịt thối. (Rotten meat.)
  • Đồng tiền thối. (Dirty money.)

• Nát (adj): To be crushed, smashed, or broken into pieces. In "thối nát," it intensifies the sense of complete breakdown.

Synonyms

• Corrupt: Marked by immorality and dishonesty.
• Rotten: Morally corrupt or decomposing.
• Decadent: Characterized by moral or cultural decline.
• Putrid: In a state of decay and smelling foul.

Related Idioms

• Thối nát đến tận xương tủy: To be rotten to the core.
  • Tổ chức ấy thối nát đến tận xương tủy. (That organization is rotten to the core.)

adj

1. corruptive, corrupt