藏污纳垢 — “To harbor evil people and practices”

藏污纳垢 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to harbor evil people and practices”. To conceal and accommodate dirty or corrupt things/elements. Literally, “To hide dirt and take in filth”.

Frequency

藏污纳垢 Pronunciation and Pinyin

藏污纳垢 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
藏	cáng	18	to hide or store
污	wū	6	dirty, stain, corrupt
纳	nà	7	receive, accept, pay, sew
垢	gòu	9	dirt, filth, grime

Example Sentence with 藏污纳垢

这个废弃的建筑长期以来藏污纳垢，成了滋生犯罪的温床，急需彻底清理。

This abandoned building has long harbored evil and corruption, becoming a breeding ground for crime, and urgently needs a thorough cleanup.

Origin and Story of 藏污纳垢

In 594 BC, King Zhuang of Chu led his army to attack the State of Song. The State of Song sent Yue Yingqi to the State of Jin to ask for help. Duke Jing of Jin, displeased with Chu's bullying of the weak, prepared to dispatch troops to assist Song.

However, Minister Bo Zong advised against it, stating that Jin was beyond reach (鞭长莫及). He then said, "An old saying goes, 'High and low are in one's heart.' Rivers and swamps take in filth (川泽纳污), mountains and thickets conceal dangers (山薮藏疾), fine jades hide minor flaws (瑾瑜匿瑕), and a ruler endures disgrace (国君含垢) – this is the way of Heaven."

This story, particularly the phrases '川泽纳污' and '山薮藏疾,' which mean 'rivers and swamps take in filth' and 'mountains and thickets conceal dangers' respectively, illustrates the concept of accommodating and concealing impurities or evils, contributing to the later meaning of the idiom '藏污纳垢'.