Translation guide
The English word 'degenerate' can be a verb, adjective, or noun. This guide covers how to express each of these uses naturally in Japanese, from physical decline to moral decay.
Expressing that something worsens, breaks down, or loses quality over time.
General term for worsening or deterioration, used for health, situations, relationships, etc.
彼の病状は急速に悪化した。
His condition degenerated rapidly.
Specifically refers to degeneration in a biological or evolutionary sense, or a decline in ability.
使わない筋肉は退化する。
Unused muscles degenerate.
Often used for deterioration of materials, quality, or performance.
プラスチックは日光で劣化する。
Plastic degenerates in sunlight.
Moral degeneration, falling into depravity or corruption.
彼は酒とギャンブルで堕落した。
He degenerated through drink and gambling.
Describing a process where a situation turns into a more negative state.
Pattern meaning 'to worsen to the point of...'
議論は喧嘩にまで悪化した。
The discussion degenerated into a fight.
To fall or degenerate into a lower state, often with a nuance of disgrace.
彼はただの泥棒に成り下がった。
He degenerated into a common thief.
Describing a person or behavior that is morally degenerate.
Past tense of 堕落する used as an adjective; implies moral decay.
彼は堕落した生活を送っている。
He leads a degenerate lifestyle.
Decadent, degenerate in a cultural or artistic sense, often implying overindulgence.
退廃的な芸術
degenerate art
Corrupt, rotten; used for systems, organizations, or morals.
腐敗した政治
degenerate politics
Referring to a person who is morally corrupt or debased.
A person who has fallen into moral decay.
彼は完全な堕落者だ。
He is a complete degenerate.
Often used for a sexual deviant or pervert, but can mean a degenerate in a broader sense.
あの男は変質者だ。
That man is a degenerate.
Literally 'cripple' or 'invalid', but can refer to someone who has degenerated due to addiction or obsession.
While 堕落者 is a direct translation, it sounds quite strong and literary. In casual conversation, describing the behavior is often more natural than labeling the person.
悪化 is the most general 'worsening'. 退化 is specifically regression or atrophy. 劣化 is often used for material degradation or decline in quality.
ゲーム廃人
a gaming degenerate (someone whose life has degenerated due to gaming addiction)