Chinese

		one; 1; single one; 1; single; a; (before verbs) as soon as, once; (before a noun) entire (family, etc.)	a grain; a granule	bad apple		bad; evil; rotten bad; evil; rotten; spoiled	to know; to understand; (modal particle intensifying preceding clause) to know; to understand; (modal particle intensifying preceding clause); (completed action marker)	one; 1; single one; 1; single; a; (before verbs) as soon as, once; (before a noun) entire (family, etc.)	pot; pan; boiler	congee; gruel; porridge
trad. (一粒老鼠屎，壞了一鍋粥)		一	粒	老鼠屎	，	壞	了	一	鍋	粥
simp. (一粒老鼠屎，坏了一锅粥)		一	粒	老鼠屎	，	坏	了	一	锅	粥
Literally: “One piece of mouse excrement spoiled one (whole) pot of rice congee.”.

Proverb

一粒老鼠屎，壞了一鍋粥

1. One bad apple can spoil the whole bunch.

Synonyms

• 一顆老鼠屎，壞了一鍋粥／一颗老鼠屎，坏了一锅粥
• 一粒老鼠屎，壞了一鍋湯／一粒老鼠屎，坏了一锅汤
• 一顆老鼠屎，壞了一鍋湯／一颗老鼠屎，坏了一锅汤