deterioro
“deterioro” means “deterioration” in Spanish (general decay or worsening).
deterioration
Also: worsening, wear and tear, impairment
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El deterioro de la vieja casa es muy evidente.
A2The deterioration of the old house is very obvious.
Fumar causa un grave deterioro de los pulmones.
B1Smoking causes a serious worsening of the lungs.
Debemos evitar el deterioro de nuestras relaciones diplomáticas.
C1We must avoid the worsening of our diplomatic relations.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: deterioro
Question 1 of 3
Which of these is the best translation for 'deterioro cognitivo'?
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👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'deterior', which simply means 'worse'. It shares the same root as the English word 'deteriorate'.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'deterioro' for a person's health?
Yes, it is very common in medical contexts to describe a patient's health getting worse over time.
What is the difference between 'deterioro' and 'empeoramiento'?
They are very similar. 'Deterioro' often implies physical decay or loss of quality, while 'empeoramiento' is a more general word for any situation getting worse.
Is there a plural form?
Yes, 'deterioros', though it is much more common to use it in the singular form to describe the overall process.