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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing wasting or ruining with 糟蹋 (zāotà)

    Actions & Events
    Description & Modification

    Structure

    糟蹋 + Object

    Explanation

    The verb 糟蹋 (zāotà) means "to waste," "to ruin," or "to spoil." It can refer to wasting resources, damaging property, or harming something of value. It carries a negative connotation and implies that something is being treated poorly or destructively.

    Examples

    • 好好的粮食别糟蹋了，吃多少拿多少。

      Hǎohǎo de liángshi bié zāotà le, chī duōshao ná duōshao.

      Don't waste perfectly good food — only take as much as you can eat.

    • 他把父母给他的钱全糟蹋了。

      Tā bǎ fùmǔ gěi tā de qián quán zāotà le.

      He squandered all the money his parents gave him.

    • 这么好的机会你不珍惜，太糟蹋了。

      Zhème hǎo de jīhuì nǐ bù zhēnxī, tài zāotà le.

      You don't cherish such a good opportunity — what a waste.

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