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.
状況が悪化している。
The situation is worsening.
体調が悪くなっている。
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.
病状が悪化した。
The patient's condition worsened.
関係が悪化している。
The relationship is worsening.
Literally 'to become bad'. A more colloquial and general way to say something is getting worse. Often used in everyday speech.
天気が悪くなってきた。
The weather is getting worse.
彼の態度が悪くなった。
His attitude worsened.
Deterioration in quality, degradation, or wearing out. Often used for materials, products, or skills.
このプラスチックは紫外線で劣化する。
This plastic deteriorates from UV rays.
Specifically referring to a medical condition or health getting worse.
The standard term for worsening of symptoms or illness.
症状が悪化したら、すぐに病院に行ってください。
If your symptoms worsen, please go to the hospital immediately.
A softer, more conversational way to say health is getting worse.
風邪が悪くなったみたい。
My cold seems to have gotten worse.
Medical term for exacerbation or worsening of a disease. Used in clinical contexts.
When a problem, conflict, or crisis becomes more severe or intense.
Becoming more serious or grave. Often used for problems, crises, or social issues.
問題が深刻化している。
The problem is worsening/becoming more serious.
Also works for situations, but 深刻化 emphasizes the gravity.
Loanword from 'escalate'. Used for conflicts, arguments, or situations that intensify.
喧嘩がエスカレートして、警察が呼ばれた。
The fight escalated and the police were called.
Worsening of economic conditions, performance, or indicators.
Standard term for economic worsening.
景気が悪化している。
The economy is worsening.
Slump, stagnation, or lingering in a bad state. Often used for prolonged economic downturns.
To drop sharply, plunge. Used for sudden worsening of economic figures.
When the quality of something deteriorates over time or due to factors.
Degradation of materials, quality, or performance.
バッテリーが劣化してきた。
The battery is deteriorating.
Literally 'quality drops'. A straightforward phrase for declining quality.
最近の製品は質が落ちた。
The quality of recent products has worsened.
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.
病状が悪化した。（フォーマル）
The condition worsened. (formal)
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.
関係の悪化が懸念される。
The worsening of relations is a concern. (acceptable but somewhat stiff)
関係が悪化していることが心配だ。
I'm worried that relations are worsening. (more natural)
慢性疾患の増悪を防ぐ。
Prevent exacerbation of chronic illness.
The conflict worsened.
株価が低迷している。
Stock prices are slumping (worsening).
売上が落ち込んだ。
Sales worsened/plummeted.