败坏 (bài huài) is a compound verb meaning 'to corrupt' or 'to ruin', especially in a moral, social, or reputational sense. The character 败 (bài) conveys defeat, decline, or failure, while 坏 (huài) means 'to spoil', 'to damage', or 'bad/rotten'. Together, they emphasize a destructive process that degrades integrity, reputation, tradition, or public morals — not just physical decay, but ethical or cultural deterioration.

This word is commonly used in formal or critical contexts: news reports about officials undermining public trust, essays on declining social values, or warnings about harmful influences on youth. It carries a strong negative connotation and often implies intentional or systemic harm rather than accidental damage. While it can occasionally refer to tangible things (e.g., 'ruining health'), its primary force lies in moral or institutional degradation — such as corrupting customs, tarnishing a family name, or spoiling societal norms.