Meaning and Usage
The verb 腐る (くさる) primarily means "to rot" or "to go bad," often used for food or organic matter. It describes physical decay due to spoilage. However, it also has a figurative meaning: to become discouraged, lose motivation, or become mentally 'rotten.' This figurative use is common in everyday conversation when encouraging someone not to give up.
Common Collocations
- 腐る果物 (くさるくだもの): rotten fruit — literal decay
- 腐らないで (くさらないで): don't get discouraged — figurative encouragement
- 腐った態度 (くさったたいど): a rotten attitude — describing a negative mindset
Register and Nuance
腐る is casual and common in spoken Japanese. When talking about food, it is neutral and factual. When used figuratively, it often implies a temporary state of discouragement rather than permanent failure. It is not formal, so avoid using it in very polite or formal writing.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 腐る with 落ち込む (to feel down) or 諦める (to give up). 腐る implies a kind of mental decay or loss of spirit, often temporary and self-inflicted, while 落ち込む is more about sadness, and 諦める is about quitting. Use 腐る when you want to express losing motivation or becoming mentally 'rotten.'