Definition

1. Verb:
   • To degenerate: To decline from a higher to a lower level of quality, function, or moral character. Often used for biological systems, materials, or ethical standards.
   • To deteriorate: To become progressively worse in condition or value.
   • To retrograde: To revert to a simpler, worse, or less advanced state.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Sụn khớp có thể bị thoái hóa theo tuổi tác. (Joint cartilage can degenerate with age.)
  • Đất canh tác liên tục mà không cải tạo sẽ dần thoái hóa. (Cultivated land that is continuously farmed without improvement will gradually deteriorate.)
  • Một số quan chức đã bị thoái hóa về đạo đức. (Some officials have degenerated morally.)

Advanced Usage

• In medical and biological contexts, "thoái hóa" specifically describes a pathological process where tissue or cells lose their normal structure and function.
  • Bệnh thoái hóa điểm vàng ảnh hưởng đến thị lực. (Macular degeneration affects eyesight.)
• In social or political contexts, it describes a decline in principles, quality, or vitality.
  • Sự thoái hóa của một chế độ. (The degeneration of a regime.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thoái hóa khớp (n): Osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease.
  • Ông ấy được chẩn đoán mắc thoái hóa khớp gối. (He was diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis.)
• Thoái hóa đốt sống (n): Spinal degeneration, spondylosis.
  • Đau lưng do thoái hóa đốt sống thắt lưng. (Back pain due to lumbar spondylosis.)

Synonyms

• Degenerate: To fall below a normal or desirable level.
• Deteriorate: To become impaired in quality, functioning, or condition.
• Decline: To move to a worse state.
• Regress: To return to a former, less developed state.

Related Terms

• Suy thoái (v/n): Often used interchangeably with "thoái hóa," but can emphasize a recession or downturn in economic or broad systemic contexts.
  • Suy thoái kinh tế. (Economic recession.)
• Teo đi (v): To atrophy, to waste away. This is a specific result of degeneration in biological contexts.
  • Cơ bắp không vận động sẽ teo đi. (Unused muscles will atrophy.)

verb

1. to degenerate, to retrograde