How to say "degradation" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 劣化れっかnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbUse this for degradation as the gradual worsening of quality or performance — materials, machinery, skills — when something works or looks worse than before.
- 堕落だらくnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbDegradation in the moral sense: a person falling into depravity or corruption. Use it when someone's character or conduct degenerates, not for objects or performance.
- 低下ていかnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbA fall or decline: levels of ability, efficiency, or standards dropping lower. Choose it when 'degradation' means a drop to a lower level rather than decay of quality or morals.
- 左遷させんnoun, suru verb, transitive verbHere 'degradation' means reduction in rank: a person being demoted or relegated to a lesser post. It applies to people's positions, not to quality, morals, or materials.
- 分解ぶんかいnoun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbCovers degradation as decomposition: a substance breaking down or disintegrating, as in chemistry. For most other senses of 'degradation' this is not the word you want.
Match the sense: 劣化 for quality or performance worsening, 低下 for a drop in level, 堕落 for moral degradation, 左遷 for reduction in rank, and 分解 for chemical decomposition.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 劣化れっかdeterioration (in quality, performance, etc.)
- 堕落だらくdepravity
- 低下ていかfall
- 左遷させんdemotion
- 降職こうしょくdegradation
- 不良化ふりょうかdegradation
- 降級こうきゅうdowngrading
- 壊乱かいらんcorruption (of order, public morals, etc.)
- 堕落腐敗だらくふはいdebasement
- 腐敗堕落ふはいだらくdebasement
- 崩解ほうかいdisintegration
- 削剥作用さくはくさようdenudation
- 分解ぶんかいdecomposition
- 転落てんらくfall (in position, standing, etc.)
- 縮退しゅくたいdegradation (CPU, memory, etc.)
See also
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