JLPT · Level 172
15 words
Japanese word
退化
Pronunciation
Romajitaika
Meaning
- nounatrophy
Example
使わない筋肉は退化します。tsuka wa na i kin niku wa tai ka shi ma su
Unused muscles atrophy.
More examples
栄養不足は、筋肉の退化を早めます。ei yō fu soku wa kin niku no tai ka o haya me ma su
Poor nutrition accelerates muscle atrophy.
Core concept
Describes movement away from a developed condition toward reduced function, often through disuse or decline.
Common phrases
筋肉の退化kin niku no tai ka
muscle atrophy
退化の原因tai ka no gen in
cause of atrophy
退化を防ぐtai ka o fuse gu
prevent atrophy
退化が進むtai ka ga susu mu
atrophy progresses
Similar words
退縮taishuku: A return to a simpler or less developed state in an organism or body part.
萎縮ishuku: A decrease in the size or function of a body part through disuse or illness.
衰退suitai: A gradual loss of strength, activity, or function in an organism, group, or system.
Definition in Japanese
生物の器官や機能、または能力などが、発達した状態から衰えていくこと。sei butsu no ki kan ya ki nō ma ta wa nō ryoku na do ga hat tatsu shi ta jō tai ka ra otoro e te i ku ko to
Word origin
The Sino-Japanese compound 退化 (taika) combines 退 (tai, "retreat") with 化 (ka, "change"), giving the sense of changing into a less advanced condition.
Usage tips
- The English verb atrophy can describe both body tissue and skills, which matches 退化 (taika) when a capacity weakens through lack of use.
Other meanings
- degenerationnoun
- regressionnoun
Opposites
- 発達hattatsudevelopmentnoun
- 肥大hidaihypertrophynoun
Related words
- 退化するtaikasuruatrophyverb