Meaning and Usage
"堕落" (duòluò) primarily means to fall morally or socially, often implying a decline in ethics, behavior, or character. It is commonly used to describe people or societies that have become corrupt or degraded.
Common Contexts
This word is often used in contexts involving moral failure, addiction, or loss of responsibility. For example, "堕落" can describe someone who has fallen into bad habits like gambling or drug abuse, or a society experiencing moral decay.
Collocations and Patterns
- 堕落成 (duòluò chéng): to degenerate into...
- 道德堕落 (dàodé duòluò): moral degradation
- 社会堕落 (shèhuì duòluò): social decay
These collocations emphasize the process or state of decline.
Nuance and Register
"堕落" carries a strong negative connotation and is often used in formal or serious contexts. It is not used lightly and implies a significant fall from a previously better state.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse "堕落" with simple physical falling or dropping. Although the characters individually mean "to fall" or "to drop," together they specifically refer to moral or social decline rather than physical descent.