ผุ

Explanation

The core image of ผุ is physical decay that damages a hard or structural material and makes it weak or brittle. It is commonly used with wood, floors, posts, furniture, and old buildings. As with many Thai stative verbs, it can serve directly as the predicate or follow a noun as a modifier: ไม้ผุ can mean “decayed wood,” while ไม้ผุแล้ว means that the wood has already decayed. With teeth, ฟันผุ is the ordinary everyday expression for tooth decay or a cavity. Individual teeth are counted with the classifier ซี่.

Usage

It is often used when inspecting or repairing a home and discussing decayed floors, posts, or wooden materials. It is also very common in dental care and everyday conversations about cavities, brushing, and the effects of sugary foods.

Caution

For spoiled food, เน่า is normally used instead of ผุ. To say that metal has rusted, เป็นสนิม is more specific and natural. ผุ does not merely mean “old”; it implies decay and a loss of structural strength.

1 decay synonyms

• เน่า

  nâw rotten

  เน่า commonly describes food or organic matter spoiling or putrefying. ผุ is more typical when wood or structural material decays and becomes weak.

• เสื่อมสภาพ

  เสื่อมสภาพ is a broad term for declining in condition or performance. ผุ more specifically suggests physical decay that makes a material weak or brittle.