Spanish Conversation · Level 50
75 words
Spanish word
deteriorar
Pronunciation
IPA/deteɾjoˈɾaɾ/
Meaning
- verbworsen
Example
La lluvia deterioró la pintura del puente.
The rain worsened the paint on the bridge.
More examples
Fumar puede deteriorar la salud cardiovascular.
Smoking can worsen cardiovascular health.
Core concept
Rust spreading under peeling paint on a metal bridge.
Common phrases
deteriorar la salud
worsen health
deteriorar la calidad
worsen quality
deteriorar las relaciones
worsen relations
Similar words
empeorar: Causes a situation or condition to become worse than it was before.
estropear: Damages an item's performance or appearance, making it broken or unusable.
dañar: Inflicts harm on a person or thing, producing physical damage or loss.
averiar: Causes a machine or device to fail or stop working properly.
Definition in Spanish
Provocar el empeoramiento de la condición, la apariencia o la funcionalidad de algo.
Word origin
From Latin deteriorare 'to make worse', the verb passed into Spanish through medieval Romance and became the regular -ar verb deteriorar.
Usage tips
- Deteriorar is normally transitive and takes a direct object for the thing being worsened, while deteriorarse indicates that something worsens on its own.