How to say "corrupt" in Japanese

• 退廃的たいはいてきCommon
  na-adjectiveCovers corrupt as an adjective meaning morally decadent or degenerate; it describes a decayed state of a society, culture, or era rather than an act of corrupting someone.
• 乱すみだすJLPT N1approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbA verb: corrupt appears here in its sense of corrupting public morals, alongside disturbing order or peace; use it when someone actively throws morals or order into disorder.
  父ちちは私の楽観らっかんを乱みださないことにした。↗

  My father chose not to disturb my optimism.
• 生臭いなまぐさいJLPT N1approx.Common
  i-adjectiveDescribes a person who is depraved or morally fallen, a use tied to the degenerate monk; for corrupt people in general it is seldom the word you want.

Choose 退廃的 for corrupt meaning decadent or degenerate, 「乱す」 when corrupt is a verb acting on morals or order, and 「生臭い」 for a morally fallen person, especially a monk.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 退廃的たいはいてきdegenerate
• 乱すみだすto throw into disorder
• 毒するどくするto be a bad influence (on something)
• 乱倫らんりん(sexually) immoral
• 腸の腐ったはらわたのくさったdepraved
• 生臭いなまぐさいdegenerate (of a monk)
• 歪めるゆがめるto corrupt