1.
pus; suppuration; festering matter
The yellowish-white fluid that forms at the site of an infection, consisting of dead white blood cells, bacteria, and tissue debris.
傷口から膿が出ている。
Pus is coming out of the wound.
膿を出してから消毒した。
I disinfected it after draining the pus.
歯茎が腫れて膿がたまっていた。
My gums were swollen and pus had accumulated.
2.
corruption; rot; something rotten (figurative)
Used figuratively to refer to deep-seated corruption, problems, or dysfunction within an organization or system that needs to be exposed and dealt with.
組織の膿を出し切る。
To root out all the corruption in the organization.
長年の膿を出す改革が求められている。
Reforms that root out years of accumulated rot are needed.
不祥事をきっかけに、会社の膿が次々と明らかになった。
Triggered by the scandal, the company's deep-seated corruption was exposed one after another.
A basic medical term that is also widely used as a powerful metaphor for corruption and systemic problems.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 膿が出る: pus comes out
- 膿を出す: to drain pus; to root out corruption
- 膿がたまる: pus accumulates; problems fester
- 膿を出し切る: to completely drain the pus/corruption
NOTE ON HOMOPHONES:
Do not confuse with 海 (sea, ocean), which has the same pronunciation.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 化膿: suppuration, festering — the medical process of pus formation
- 腐敗: corruption, decay — used figuratively for organizational corruption