====== āngzāng: 肮脏 - Dirty, Filthy, Squalid ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** āngzāng, angzang, 肮脏, what does angzang mean, dirty in Chinese, filthy in Chinese, how to say dirty in Mandarin, Chinese word for squalid, morally corrupt in Chinese, 肮脏交易, 肮脏的想法
  * **Summary:** Discover the full meaning of 肮脏 (āngzāng), the essential Chinese word for "dirty," "filthy," or "squalid." This comprehensive guide goes beyond a simple translation, exploring how 肮脏 is used to describe not only physical uncleanliness, like a grimy room, but also its powerful figurative meaning for morally corrupt actions, sordid deals, and despicable thoughts. Learn its cultural context, practical examples, and common mistakes to master this important HSK 5 adjective.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** āngzāng
  * **Part of Speech:** Adjective
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 5
  * **Concise Definition:** Physically unclean and filthy, or morally foul, sordid, and despicable.
  * **In a Nutshell:** 肮脏 (āngzāng) is a strong word that expresses a sense of disgust. It's more intense than simply "not clean." Think of the difference between a dusty table and a garbage-filled alleyway—the alleyway is 肮脏. This same feeling of revulsion applies when it's used metaphorically to describe corrupt deals, vile thoughts, or despicable behavior. It carries a heavy, negative connotation in every context.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **肮 (āng):** This character is composed of the 'flesh' or 'body' radical (月) on the left and a phonetic component (亢) on the right. The radical suggests something physical or visceral. This character is almost never used by itself in modern Chinese.
  * **脏 (zāng):** This character also contains the 'flesh' radical (月). On its own, 脏 can mean "dirty" or refer to the internal organs (a related, but different word, is 内脏 nèizàng). The connection here is between bodily functions/viscera and the concept of being unclean.
  * When combined, **肮脏 (āngzāng)** creates a powerful, slightly guttural-sounding word. The repetition of the 'body' radical reinforces a deep-seated, physical sense of filth and uncleanliness, which makes its literal and metaphorical meanings so strong.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
  * In Chinese culture, there is a strong traditional emphasis on purity, both physically and morally. 肮脏 stands as the direct opposite of this ideal. Describing something as 肮脏 is not just a statement of fact; it is a strong judgment.
  * When used metaphorically, it taps into deep-seated Confucian values of integrity (廉洁 liánjié) and righteousness (正义 zhèngyì). To call a person's actions, thoughts, or words 肮脏 is to condemn them as morally bankrupt and offensive to social harmony. For example, a "dirty deal" (肮脏的交易) isn't just unfair; it's seen as a pollutant to the proper order of business and relationships.
  * **Comparison to Western Culture:** While English uses "dirty" metaphorically (e.g., "dirty money," "dirty politics"), 肮脏 often carries a heavier weight of moral condemnation. In English, calling a trick "dirty" can sometimes have a hint of reluctant admiration for its cleverness. In Chinese, labeling an action 肮脏 is an outright accusation of despicable behavior with no positive spin. It is more akin to "sordid" or "vile" and is used to express pure contempt.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
  * 肮脏 is used in both spoken and written Chinese, but its strong nature means it's reserved for situations that genuinely warrant it.
  * **Literal Usage (Physical Dirt):**
    * It's used to describe places, objects, or people that are genuinely filthy, not just a bit untidy.
    * Examples: A public toilet in disrepair, a homeless person's clothes, a polluted river, a greasy kitchen.
  * **Figurative Usage (Moral Filth):**
    * This is a very common and powerful usage in news, social commentary, and daily conversation.
    * **Politics and Business:** Describing corruption, bribery, backroom deals, and scandals. (e.g., `肮脏的政治斗争` - sordid political struggles).
    * **Personal Character:** Describing a person's mind, thoughts, or motives as vile or despicable (e.g., `他有肮脏的想法` - he has disgusting thoughts).
    * **Language:** Referring to profanity or vulgar speech (e.g., `别说这么肮脏的话` - don't say such filthy words).
    * **Art and Media:** Describing a story or movie with a sordid, morally repulsive plot.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 这件衬衫太 **肮脏** 了，我得马上洗。
    * Pinyin: Zhè jiàn chènshān tài **āngzāng** le, wǒ děi mǎshàng xǐ.
    * English: This shirt is too filthy, I have to wash it immediately.
    * Analysis: A straightforward, literal use. The word `太 (tài)` emphasizes that the shirt is not just a little dirty, but genuinely filthy.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 那个小巷又黑又 **肮脏**，晚上别一个人去。
    * Pinyin: Nàge xiǎo xiàng yòu hēi yòu **āngzāng**, wǎnshàng bié yīgè rén qù.
    * English: That alley is both dark and squalid, don't go there alone at night.
    * Analysis: Describes a place. The structure `又...又... (yòu...yòu...)` means "both...and...", effectively painting a very negative and dangerous picture.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 他用了一些 **肮脏** 的手段才赢得了比赛。
    * Pinyin: Tā yòngle yīxiē **āngzāng** de shǒuduàn cái yíngdéle bǐsài.
    * English: He used some dirty tricks (despicable methods) to win the competition.
    * Analysis: A classic figurative use. `肮脏的手段 (āngzāng de shǒuduàn)` means "dirty/despicable methods" and implies cheating or immoral tactics.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 电影揭露了政界背后 **肮脏** 的交易。
    * Pinyin: Diànyǐng jiēlùle zhèngjiè bèihòu **āngzāng** de jiāoyì.
    * English: The movie exposed the sordid deals behind the political scene.
    * Analysis: Here, `肮脏` refers to corrupt, illegal, or immoral transactions. This is a very common usage in news and media.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 请把你的 **肮脏** 思想从我脑子里拿走！
    * Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ nǐ de **āngzāng** sīxiǎng cóng wǒ nǎozi lǐ názǒu!
    * English: Please get your filthy thoughts out of my head!
    * Analysis: A strong emotional statement. `肮脏思想 (āngzāng sīxiǎng)` refers to vile, perverted, or evil thoughts.
  * **Example 6:**
    * 我无法相信他竟然是这样一个灵魂 **肮脏** 的人。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ wúfǎ xiāngxìn tā jìngrán shì zhèyàng yīgè línghún **āngzāng** de rén.
    * English: I can't believe he is actually a person with such a filthy soul.
    * Analysis: This is perhaps the strongest condemnation possible, attacking a person's core character or "soul" (`灵魂 línghún`) as being morally rotten.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 他拒绝接受那笔 **肮脏** 的钱。
    * Pinyin: Tā jùjué jiēshòu nà bǐ **āngzāng** de qián.
    * English: He refused to accept that dirty money.
    * Analysis: Similar to the English "dirty money," this refers to money obtained through illegal or immoral means, like bribery or theft.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 房间里堆满了 **肮脏** 的衣服和垃圾。
    * Pinyin: Fángjiān lǐ duī mǎnle **āngzāng** de yīfú hé lājī.
    * English: The room was piled high with filthy clothes and trash.
    * Analysis: Another literal example, creating a vivid image of a truly messy and unhygienic environment.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 这个城市最 **肮脏** 的地方正在被清理。
    * Pinyin: Zhège chéngshì zuì **āngzāng** de dìfāng zhèngzài bèi qīnglǐ.
    * English: The most squalid parts of the city are being cleaned up.
    * Analysis: Uses the superlative `最 (zuì)` to mean "the most." `被 (bèi)` indicates the passive voice ("are being cleaned").
  * **Example 10:**
    * 他因为讲 **肮脏** 的笑话被大家讨厌了。
    * Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi jiǎng **āngzāng** de xiàohuà bèi dàjiā tǎoyànle.
    * English: He was disliked by everyone for telling dirty (vulgar) jokes.
    * Analysis: In this context, `肮脏` means vulgar, crude, or obscene, not just physically unclean.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **`肮脏 (āngzāng)` vs. `不干净 (bù gānjìng)`:** This is the most critical distinction for learners.
    * `不干净 (bù gānjìng)` simply means "not clean." It is a neutral, objective description. A table with a few crumbs on it is `不干净`.
    * `肮脏 (āngzāng)` means "filthy, squalid." It is a strong, subjective judgment filled with disgust. A public toilet that hasn't been cleaned in weeks is `肮脏`.
    * **Mistake:** Saying `我的手有点肮脏` ("My hands are a bit filthy") after gardening sounds overly dramatic. You should say `我的手有点不干净` ("My hands are a bit dirty").
  * **False Friends with English "Dirty":**
    * The English word "dirty" can sometimes have a playful or sexual connotation (e.g., a "dirty martini," "dirty dancing").
    * **`肮脏` NEVER has this meaning.** It is always 100% negative and disgusting. To express the "lewd" or "obscene" sense of dirty, you should use words like [[下流]] (xiàliú) or [[色]] (sè). Using `肮脏` in this context would be a serious misunderstanding.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * **[[干净]] (gānjìng):** The direct antonym, meaning "clean."
  * **[[不干净]] (bù gānjìng):** A neutral way to say "not clean, unclean." It is far less intense than `肮脏`.
  * **[[邋遢]] (lātā):** An adjective used to describe a person's appearance as "sloppy" or "slovenly." It's about personal untidiness, not necessarily filth.
  * **[[污秽]] (wūhuì):** A more formal, literary synonym for "filthy" or "foul." It is often used to describe moral corruption in a very serious or written context.
  * **[[腐败]] (fǔbài):** Means "corrupt," especially in a political or institutional sense. Actions of `腐败` are always considered `肮脏`.
  * **[[卑鄙]] (bēibǐ):** Means "despicable" or "contemptible." It describes a person's low character or actions, which is a form of moral `肮脏`.
  * **[[下流]] (xiàliú):** Means "lewd," "obscene," or "vulgar." This is the correct term for the "sexually dirty" connotation that `肮脏` lacks.