borer; moth; vermin; corrupt element
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesnoun
insect that bores into wood, clothes, books, or grain; borer; moth; weevil
Includes specific types such as longhorn beetles (天牛), clothes moths (衣蛾), silverfish (衣鱼), and rice weevils (米象).
Zhè这
xiē些
mù木
tou头
lǐ里
yǒu有
zhù蛀
chóng虫
。
These logs have borers in them.
Shū书
bèi被
zhù蛀
chóng虫
yǎo咬
huài坏
le了
。
The books were damaged by silverfish.
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Yī衣
guì柜
lǐ里
de的
zhù蛀
chóng虫
bǎ把
máo毛
yī衣
zhù蛀
chū出
le了
dòng洞
。
The moths in the wardrobe ate holes in the wool sweater.
noun
corrupt person; parasite; vermin; grafter
formalMetaphorical usage comparing corrupt officials or destructive elements to insects that eat away at structures from within. Often used in political or formal contexts with a strong negative connotation.
Tān贪
wū污
fèn分
zǐ子
shì是
shè社
huì会
zhǔ主
yì义
jiàn建
shè设
shì事
yè业
de的
zhù蛀
chóng虫
。
Corrupt elements are the vermin of socialist construction.
Zhè这
xiē些
fǔ腐
bài败
guān官
yuán员
shì是
guó国
jiā家
de的
zhù蛀
chóng虫
。
These corrupt officials are parasites on the state.
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Bì必
xū须
qīng清
chú除
zhè这
xiē些
zhù蛀
chóng虫
，
cái才
néng能
bǎo保
zhèng证
zǔ组
zhī织
de的
jiàn健
kāng康
。
These parasites must be eliminated to ensure the health of the organization.