奢靡 (shēmǐ) is an adjective describing excessive luxury, wasteful extravagance, or morally decadent indulgence — often with a strong negative connotation of moral decline or social irresponsibility. The first character 奢 (shē) means 'luxurious' or 'extravagant', while 靡 (mǐ) originally meant 'to waste' or 'to decay', reinforcing the sense of reckless dissipation. Together, they form a compound that evokes not just wealth, but its corrupting misuse — think lavish banquets during famine, or rulers ignoring public welfare while living in opulence.

This word appears frequently in historical texts, political discourse, and modern critiques of consumerism or inequality. It’s more formal and literary than everyday synonyms like 浪费 (làngfèi, 'wasteful') and carries moral judgment, implying that the luxury crosses ethical boundaries. It’s rarely used neutrally; even describing a billionaire’s lifestyle as 奢靡 suggests criticism rather than admiration.