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腐れ縁

Grammar & Usage

fixed expression (noun)

neutral

How it works

This term is a noun phrase combining 腐れ (kusare, meaning 'rotten, decaying') and 縁 (en, meaning 'fate, karma, relationship'). It describes a relationship that, despite being perceived as bad, inconvenient, or problematic, continues due to a strong, often inexplicable, bond or shared history, implying it's hard to break. It's often used with a sense of resignation or slight disdain.

Sample sentences

私たち、もう別れてるのに、なぜか腐れ縁で繋がっている。

Even though we've already broken up, for some reason we're still connected by a lingering, unseverable tie.

学生時代からの腐れ縁で、今でもよく飲みに行くよ。

We've had this lingering tie since our school days, and we still often go out for drinks.

この腐れ縁を、そろそろ断ち切るべきだ。

It's about time I severed this undesirable, lingering relationship.

Quick facts

nuance:Carries a sense of resignation, exasperation, or even affection despite the 'bad' label. It's not always intensely negative; sometimes it's used humorously for old friends who frequently bicker but remain close.

etymology:Literally 'rotten fate/connection'. The 'rotten' aspect highlights the negative or undesirable nature, while 'fate' implies its unbreakability.

Often used with

腐れ縁を切る (kusareen o kiru - to break off a lingering bad relationship)

腐れ縁の相手 (kusareen no aite - a partner in a lingering bad relationship)

腐れ縁が続く (kusareen ga tsuzuku - a lingering bad relationship continues)

腐れ縁だね (kusareen da ne - It's a fated, hard-to-break relationship, isn't it?)

腐れ縁の関係 (kusareen no kankei - a fated, undesirable relationship)

Mnemonic

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Example

私たち、もう別れてるのに、なぜか腐れ縁で繋がっている。

Even though we've already broken up, for some reason we're still connected by a lingering, unseverable tie.

学生時代からの腐れ縁で、今でもよく飲みに行くよ。

We've had this lingering tie since our school days, and we still often go out for drinks.