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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'to go bad' with 坏 (huài)

    Description & Modification
    Result & Consequence

    Structure

    Verb + 坏 + 了

    Explanation

    坏 (huài) means "bad," "broken," or "to go bad." As an adjective, it describes something negative or damaged. As a verb or result complement, it indicates deterioration, as in 吃坏了 (got sick from eating something bad). It also describes people, as in 坏人 (bad person).

    Examples

    • 牛奶放太久会坏，你赶紧喝了吧。

      Niúnǎi fàng tài jiǔ huì huài, nǐ gǎnjǐn hē le ba.

      Milk will go bad if left too long; you'd better drink it now.

    • 我的手机屏幕摔坏了，得去修一下。

      wǒ de shǒujī píngmù shuāi huài le, děi qù xiū yíxià.

      My phone screen broke from a fall, I need to go get it repaired.

    • 这个苹果已经坏了，不能吃了。

      zhège píngguǒ yǐjīng huài le, bù néng chī le.

      This apple has already gone bad, it can't be eaten anymore.

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    Expressing 'to go bad' with 坏 (huài) | Chinese Grammar