āngzāng: 肮脏 - Dirty, Filthy, Squalid

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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.

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.

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.

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.

肮脏 is used in both spoken and written Chinese, but its strong nature means it's reserved for situations that genuinely warrant it.

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.