expression, na-adjective
Derogatory set phrase used to insult a man for lacking masculine traits, being irresolute, or acting in a way perceived as womanly. Strongly pejorative and sexist.
そんなことで泣くなんて、女の腐ったようだ。
Crying over something like that? You're such a sissy.
彼はいつも優柔不断で、まるで女の腐ったようだ。
He's always so indecisive, just like a weakling.
Literally 'like a rotten woman'. The phrase uses 腐った (rotten, decayed) metaphorically to disparage a man by comparing him to a woman in a degraded state. The exact origin is uncertain, but it reflects a sexist view that being womanly is inherently negative for a man.