1. to become worse in quality, condition, or character
（品質、狀況或品格）變差，惡化，退化
The political debate degenerated into a shouting match.
政治辯論惡化成一場互相叫罵的爭吵。
Without proper maintenance, the building will degenerate rapidly.
如果沒有適當的維護，這棟建築會迅速惡化。
Degenerate Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
degenerate
verb
快速理解
What does "Degenerate" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Degenerate"?
「degenerate」作動詞時，主要指狀態或品質的惡化、退化，也可指生物學上的退化或道德上的墮落。
- 1
惡化/退化
EN: to become worse in quality, condition, or character
翻譯: 指品質、狀況或特質變得更差。
- 2
生物學退化
EN: to decline from a higher to a lower type or condition, especially in biology
翻譯: 在生物學上，指從較高級或複雜的狀態退化到較低級或簡單的狀態。
- 3
墮落/敗壞
EN: to sink into a low state of mind or morals
翻譯: 指心智或道德水準下降，變得墮落或敗壞。
- 4
物理學/數學退化
EN: in physics/mathematics, to lose a property (e.g., symmetry) or to simplify to a special case
翻譯: 在物理學或數學中，指失去某種特性（如對稱性）或簡化為特殊情況。
小提醒：注意「degenerate」作動詞時發音為 /dɪˈdʒɛnəˌreɪt/，重音在第二音節；作形容詞或名詞時發音為 /dɪˈdʒɛnərɪt/，重音也在第二音節但母音略有不同。
發音（How to Pronounce "Degenerate" in English）
How to pronounce "Degenerate" in English?"Degenerate" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Degenerate" from YouTube Videos
Craig Venter: On the verge of creating synthetic life
TED
“There are tens of thousands of machines around the world that make small pieces of DNA -- 30 to 50 letters in length -- and it's a degenerate process.”
(1 out of 2)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Degenerate"?How does "Degenerate" change by context?
2. to lose physical or mental qualities; to decline from a higher to a lower type
（身體或心智）衰退；從較高類型退化到較低類型
The species has degenerated over thousands of years due to environmental changes.
由於環境變化，這個物種在數千年間已經退化了。
His health began to degenerate after the accident.
事故發生後，他的健康狀況開始衰退。
3. (in mathematics, physics) to change into a simpler or less specialized form
（數學、物理學）退化為更簡單或更不專門的形式
Under certain conditions, the wave function can degenerate into a simpler form.
在某些條件下，波函數會退化為更簡單的形式。
The equation degenerates into a linear one when the coefficient is zero.
當係數為零時，這個方程式會退化為線性方程式。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Degenerate"?How to make natural sentences with "Degenerate"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| degenerate into + noun | 退化為…；墮落成… | The debate degenerated into a shouting match. (辯論退化為一場互相叫罵的爭吵。) |
| degenerate from + noun | 從…退化/墮落 | His behavior has degenerated from eccentricity to outright rudeness. (他的行為已從古怪退化為十足的粗魯。) |
| degenerate + adverb (e.g., rapidly, slowly) | …地退化/惡化 | Without proper care, the historic building will degenerate rapidly. (若無適當維護，這棟歷史建築將會迅速惡化。) |
| degenerate + prepositional phrase (e.g., into chaos, to a lower state) | 退化到…狀態 | The peaceful protest threatened to degenerate into violence. (和平抗議有惡化成暴力的危險。) |
用法說明
How is "Degenerate" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Degenerate"?
degenerate into vs degenerate to
- degenerate into + noun 是最常見的結構，表示「惡化、墮落成」某種更糟的狀態或事物，強調最終的結果。
- degenerate to + noun 也可使用，但較為少見，有時帶有「淪落到…地步」的意味，強調程度或層級的下降。
- 在許多情況下，兩者可以互換，但 degenerate into 在描述物理或實質轉變時更為自然。
- 當後接動詞時，必須使用 degenerate into + V-ing 的形式。 EN: Their peaceful protest degenerated into a violent riot. 翻譯: 他們的和平抗議惡化成了暴力騷亂。
EN:The debate degenerated to personal insults and name-calling.
翻譯:那場辯論淪落到了人身攻擊和辱罵的地步。
總結建議
在大多數情況下，使用 degenerate into 來表達「惡化成…」是較為通用且安全的選擇。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Degenerate" and similar words?How to choose "Degenerate" vs alternatives?
degenerate vs deteriorate
「degenerate」強調從較好狀態退化到較差、墮落或更原始的狀態，常帶有道德或品質上的負面評價；「deteriorate」則較中性，泛指任何事物（如健康、關係、環境）逐漸變壞或惡化。
degenerate vs decline
「degenerate」指退化、墮落到更低級或更原始的狀態，通常涉及本質的敗壞；「decline」則指力量、數量、品質或接受度的下降或減少，不一定帶有道德批判。
degenerate vs degrade
「degenerate」通常指整體狀態或系統自發地退化、墮落；「degrade」則更常指因外力作用而使品質、價值或尊嚴降低，或用於化學、環境領域指物質分解。
口語用法
How is "Degenerate" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Degenerate"?
引述
在對話中，人們有時會引述他人的批評或擔憂，用「degenerate」來轉述一種負面看法。 EN: He said the neighborhood would degenerate if we didn't take action. 翻譯: 他說如果我們不採取行動，這個社區就會墮落。
EN:Everyone keeps warning that the quality will degenerate over time.
翻譯:大家不斷警告說，品質會隨著時間惡化。
語氣強調
在非正式對話中，可能會用「degenerate into」來強調情況急劇變糟，帶有誇張或戲劇化的語氣。 EN: What was supposed to be a friendly debate degenerated into a shouting match. 翻譯: 原本應該是友好的辯論，最後淪為一場互相吼叫的爭吵。
EN:Our plan to save money quickly degenerated into another shopping spree.
翻譯:我們省錢的計畫很快就淪為另一場瘋狂購物。
停頓填充
在組織想法或尋找合適詞語時，說話者可能會用「degenerate」作為停頓填充，引出一個更糟的結果或比喻。 EN: If we ignore the rules, things could... degenerate pretty fast. 翻譯: 如果我們無視規則，事情可能會…惡化得很快。
EN:Without proper maintenance, the system might just... degenerate into chaos.
翻譯:沒有適當的維護，這個系統可能就會…退化到一團混亂。
正式書寫注意：在學術或正式報告中，應避免將「degenerate」用於上述口語的停頓或誇張語氣。建議使用更精確、中性的詞語，如 "deteriorate"、"decline" 或 "devolve into"，並確保上下文有明確的客觀證據支持。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Degenerate"?What fixed phrases with "Degenerate" should I remember?
degenerate into
verb + into + noun
惡化為，墮落成
degenerate from
verb + from + noun
從...退化
degenerate rapidly
verb + adverb
迅速惡化/退化
degenerate over time
verb + prepositional phrase
隨著時間推移而退化
degenerate to the point (where/of)
verb + to the point + clause
惡化到...的程度
begin to degenerate
verb phrase
開始退化/惡化
degenerate completely
verb + adverb
完全退化/徹底墮落
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Degenerate"?Which "Degenerate" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×The situation had a degenerate.
✓The situation had degenerated.
「degenerate」作動詞時意為「惡化、退化」，不可直接當名詞使用。此處應使用其動詞的過去分詞形式「degenerated」來描述狀態。
×The poor leadership degenerated the organization.
✓The organization degenerated under poor leadership.
「degenerate」主要用作不及物動詞，意為「自身惡化」，後面不直接接受詞。若要表達原因，應使用「under...」或「due to...」等介系詞片語。
×The quality is degenerating since last year.
✓The quality has been degenerating since last year.
描述從過去持續到現在的「惡化」動作，應使用現在完成進行式「has been degenerating」，而非簡單現在進行式。
×The discussion degenerated to shouting.
✓The discussion degenerated into shouting.
表達「惡化成某種更糟的狀態」時，固定搭配的介系詞是「into」，而非「to」。
×It is a degenerate society.
✓The society is degenerating. / It is a degenerate society.
此句文法本身正確，但可能造成學習者混淆。這裡的「degenerate」是形容詞，意為「墮落的」。若想表達「正在惡化」的動作，應使用動詞「degenerating」。需根據想表達的「狀態」或「動作」選擇正確詞性。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Degenerate"?What are tense/participle forms of "Degenerate"?
degenerates(3rd_singular)degenerating(present_participle)degenerated(past)degenerated(past_participle)