膿
う
み
Meanings
1
pus
Refers to the thick yellowish or greenish liquid produced in infected tissue. Common in medical and everyday contexts.
Pus is coming out of the wound.
They made an incision to drain the pus.
2
corruption; rot; evils
Only with reading うみ
Figurative use, limited to the reading うみ. Describes moral decay, hidden evils, or deep-seated corruption in a system or society. Often used in fixed expressions like 膿を出す (to bring hidden problems to light).
We must root out all the corruption in the organization before reform can proceed.
Expressions
- 膿を出すdrain the pus; root out corruption; clean up