zepsuciem

Zepsuciem is a Polish noun describing spoilage, deterioration, or ruination. It denotes the process by which something loses its intended quality, value, or integrity. The term is used across contexts such as food safety, material durability, and social or moral assessment, and it is derived from the verb zepsuć, meaning to spoil or ruin.

The word is formed from zepsucie, with the instrumental singular zepsuciem used to refer to the very process or to indicate the cause or manner of spoilage. In practical language, it can appear in phrases like z powodu zepsucia or zepsuciem spowodowanym przez czynniki zewnętrzne, depending on the context.

Zepsucie is applied in several domains. In food science and industry, zepsucie describes spoilage caused by microbial growth, enzymatic activity, or chemical changes that render products unsafe or unpalatable. In construction and mechanical engineering, it refers to deterioration such as corrosion, fatigue, or material wear that reduces performance or safety. In ethics, sociology, and politics, zepsucie denotes moral decay, corruption, or decline of norms and institutions, often discussed as a risk to social cohesion or governance. The term is frequently contrasted with renewal, restoration, or prevention efforts aimed at halting or reversing the spoilage process.

Common related terms include degradacja (degradation), gnicie (rot or putrefaction), and korupcja (corruption) in ethical or institutional contexts. Assessing zepsucie typically involves observable indicators—physical changes, safety or quality deviations, or shifts in behavior and standards—and appropriate measures range from quality control to reforms and preventive maintenance.