Translation guide
The concept of something getting worse, deteriorating, or declining in quality, condition, or situation. Japanese expresses this through verbs, nouns, and adjectives depending on what is worsening and the context.
The situation is worsening.
My health is getting worse.
To say that a situation, condition, or quality is getting worse in a general sense.
The most common and versatile noun/する-verb for 'worsening' or 'deterioration'. Used for health, situations, relationships, economy, etc.
The patient's condition worsened.
Literally 'to become bad'. A more colloquial and general way to say something is getting worse. Often used in everyday speech.
The weather is getting worse.
Deterioration in quality, degradation, or wearing out. Often used for materials, products, or skills.
Specifically referring to a medical condition or health getting worse.
The standard term for worsening of symptoms or illness.
When a problem, conflict, or crisis becomes more severe or intense.
Worsening of economic conditions, performance, or indicators.
Standard term for economic worsening.
When the quality of something deteriorates over time or due to factors.
Degradation of materials, quality, or performance.
悪化 is more formal and often used in news, reports, and serious contexts. 悪くなる is everyday conversational Japanese. Both mean 'worsen', but 悪化 sounds more objective and severe.
The condition worsened. (formal)
The relationship is worsening.
彼の態度が悪くなった。
His attitude worsened.
This plastic deteriorates from UV rays.
If your symptoms worsen, please go to the hospital immediately.
A softer, more conversational way to say health is getting worse.
My cold seems to have gotten worse.
Medical term for exacerbation or worsening of a disease. Used in clinical contexts.
Prevent exacerbation of chronic illness.
Becoming more serious or grave. Often used for problems, crises, or social issues.
The problem is worsening/becoming more serious.
Also works for situations, but 深刻化 emphasizes the gravity.
The conflict worsened.
Loanword from 'escalate'. Used for conflicts, arguments, or situations that intensify.
The fight escalated and the police were called.
The economy is worsening.
Slump, stagnation, or lingering in a bad state. Often used for prolonged economic downturns.
Stock prices are slumping (worsening).
To drop sharply, plunge. Used for sudden worsening of economic figures.
Sales worsened/plummeted.
The battery is deteriorating.
Literally 'quality drops'. A straightforward phrase for declining quality.
The quality of recent products has worsened.
風邪が悪くなった。（カジュアル）
My cold got worse. (casual)
English often uses 'worsening' as a noun (e.g., 'the worsening of relations'). In Japanese, it's more natural to use a verb phrase like 悪化する or 悪くなる rather than trying to force a noun form. While 悪化 can be used as a noun, the verb form is often preferred.
The worsening of relations is a concern. (acceptable but somewhat stiff)
I'm worried that relations are worsening. (more natural)