‘宠坏’ is a verb meaning to spoil someone (or something) so excessively that it causes harm—typically by overindulgence, lack of boundaries, or failure to enforce discipline. The first character 宠 (chǒng) means 'to dote on' or 'to pamper', while 坏 (huài) literally means 'bad' or 'spoiled'; together, they convey the idea of spoiling to the point of damaging development, behavior, or well-being. This word carries a clear negative connotation and implies long-term consequences—not just light indulgence, but harmful overindulgence.

It’s commonly used in contexts involving children, pets, or even employees or subordinates who have been given too much leniency without accountability. Unlike neutral terms like ‘spoiling’, 宠坏 specifically suggests deterioration: a child may become selfish or disobedient; a pet may develop aggression or anxiety from inconsistent training. It often appears in advice columns, parenting discussions, and veterinary guidance—especially when warning against giving treats, attention, or freedom without structure.