이 페이지를 내 언어로

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

Português

中文

हिन्दी

홈
학습
프랑스어
단어장
se détériorer

A2 verb 15분 분량

se détériorer

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁 se détériorer 30초 만에

설명 se détériorer in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn how things change. While 'se détériorer' might seem like a long and difficult word, you can think of it as a fancy way of saying 'devenir mauvais' (to become bad). At this stage, you don't need to use it in complex sentences. Just remember that it is used for things like the weather or a toy that is breaking. For example, if you see clouds, you can say 'Le temps se détériore'. It is a reflexive verb, so it always needs the 'se' before it. Think of it like 'se laver' or 's'appeler'. Even if you don't use it often yet, recognizing it will help you understand weather reports or simple stories about old houses. Focus on the present tense: 'ça se détériore'. This simple phrase can help you describe many situations where something is no longer as good as it was before. It is a great 'power word' to make your French sound more advanced even at the beginning.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

At the A2 level, you should begin to use 'se détériorer' to describe physical objects and simple situations. You are now learning more about the past tense (passé composé), so it's important to remember that 'se détériorer' uses 'être'. You would say 'La maison s'est détériorée'. Notice the 'e' at the end if the thing is feminine! You can use this word to talk about your health, the condition of your car, or the state of a building. It's a very useful word for describing problems to a landlord or a mechanic. Instead of just saying 'c'est cassé' (it's broken), you can say 'ça se détériore' to show that the problem is getting worse over time. This shows that you understand the difference between a one-time accident and a slow process. You can also start using it with simple adverbs like 'vite' (fast) or 'lentement' (slowly). 'La situation se détériore vite' is a perfect A2 sentence that sounds very natural.

By B1, you are expected to handle more abstract topics, and 'se détériorer' is perfect for this. You can use it to talk about social issues, the economy, or relationships. For example, 'Les relations entre les voisins se sont détériorées à cause du bruit'. At this level, you should also be comfortable using it in different tenses, like the future or the conditional. 'Si on ne répare pas le toit, il se détériorera'. You are also starting to see the difference between 'se détériorer' and its synonyms like 's'abîmer' or 's'empirer'. You know that 'se détériorer' is a bit more formal and is great for writing reports or having serious discussions. You should also pay attention to the noun form, 'la détérioration', which you might start using in your writing. Being able to explain *why* something is deteriorating using 'à cause de' or 'en raison de' is a key B1 skill. This verb helps you express nuance in your opinions about the world around you.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

At the B2 level, you should use 'se détériorer' with precision in both speech and writing. You can use it to describe complex systems, such as 'le climat politique' or 'les conditions socio-économiques'. You are aware of the register of the word—it's standard to formal—and you can use it in a professional context without hesitation. You should also be able to use it in the subjonctif: 'Il est regrettable que la situation se détériore ainsi'. Your agreement of the past participle in the passé composé should be automatic. Furthermore, you can start using more advanced adverbs to modify the verb, such as 'considérablement', 'progressivement', or 'irrémédiablement'. You understand that 'se détériorer' implies a loss of quality or integrity, and you can contrast it with 'se bonifier' (to improve/get better, like wine). Your ability to use this verb to describe trends and developments in society is a hallmark of a B2 learner.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

At the C1 level, 'se détériorer' is a standard part of your academic and professional lexicon. You use it to analyze data, trends, and historical processes. You might use it in a sentence like, 'On observe une détérioration marquée des infrastructures urbaines au cours de la dernière décennie'. You are also aware of very formal synonyms like 'péricliter' or 's'étioler' and can choose between them based on the specific nuance you want to convey. You understand the subtle difference between 'se dégrader' (often used for environment or social climate) and 'se détériorer' (often used for physical or structural decline), although they often overlap. Your use of the verb is fluid, and you can integrate it into complex grammatical structures, such as passive reflections or gerunds: 'En se détériorant, la situation a forcé le gouvernement à intervenir'. You use the word to provide deep, analytical descriptions of decline in various fields, from linguistics to thermodynamics.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

At the C2 level, you have a total mastery of 'se détériorer' and its place within the vast web of French verbs of change. You can use it with stylistic flair, perhaps in literary analysis or high-level political commentary. You understand its etymological roots and how it fits into the broader family of words derived from the Latin 'deterior'. You can use it ironically or metaphorically: 'Même notre sens de l'humour semble se détériorer dans ce climat de censure'. You are perfectly comfortable with all its derived forms and can use the verb in the most complex literary tenses like the passé simple or the imparfait du subjonctif if the context requires it. You can distinguish between the transitive 'détériorer' and the reflexive 'se détériorer' with absolute precision, using them to create specific rhetorical effects. For you, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a precise instrument for describing the entropy and decline inherent in various systems and situations.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁

se détériorer 30초 만에

Se détériorer means 'to become worse' or 'to decay' over time.
It is a reflexive verb, so it always uses 'se' and 'être' in the past.
Commonly used for weather, health, buildings, and abstract situations like relationships.
It is more formal than 's'abîmer' and more specific than 'empirer'.

The French reflexive verb se détériorer is a sophisticated yet essential term for English learners to master, primarily because it bridges the gap between physical decay and abstract decline. At its core, it means to become progressively worse, to degrade, or to decline in quality, value, or condition. Unlike the simple transitive verb 'détériorer' (to damage something), the reflexive form 'se détériorer' implies a process that the subject undergoes, often naturally or over time without a specific external agent mentioned. It is a verb of change, specifically a change for the worse. When you use this word, you are describing a downward trajectory. Whether you are talking about the crumbling walls of an ancient chateau, the fading health of an elderly relative, or the souring diplomatic relations between two nations, this verb provides the necessary gravity and precision. It is used in professional, academic, and daily contexts alike, though it carries a slightly more formal weight than the colloquial 's'abîmer'.

Physical Decay: This refers to the structural breakdown of objects. For example, 'La façade de la maison se détériore à cause de l'humidité' (The facade of the house is deteriorating due to humidity). It suggests a gradual loss of integrity.

Depuis que l'usine a fermé, le quartier commence à se détériorer visiblement.

Abstract Situations: Used for relationships, climates, or economies. 'Le climat social se détériore rapidement' indicates that tensions are rising and the general atmosphere is getting worse.

In the context of health, physicians frequently use 'se détériorer' to describe a patient's worsening condition. It is more clinical than 'aller mal'. In the world of finance, an asset that loses its value or a market that becomes unstable can be said to 'se détériorer'. This versatility makes it a high-frequency word in news broadcasts (Le JT) and newspapers like Le Monde. Furthermore, it is important to distinguish it from 's'empirer'. While 'empirer' is also common, 'se détériorer' often carries a connotation of material or structural breakdown, whereas 'empirer' is more general for any bad situation. To truly sound like a native, use 'se détériorer' when you want to emphasize the loss of quality or the crumbling of a foundation, whether that foundation is concrete or metaphorical. The word itself sounds heavy and serious, which matches its meaning perfectly. In everyday conversation, if your car is falling apart, you might say 'ma voiture se détériore', but if you just have a scratch, you would use 's'abîmer'. The scale of the decline is usually significant when this verb is employed.

Si nous n'agissons pas, la situation politique va se détériorer davantage.

Les conditions de travail se sont détériorées au fil des mois.

Environmental Context: Used to discuss the ozone layer or ecosystems. 'L'écosystème marin se détériore à cause de la pollution plastique'.

Finally, consider the nuances of time. 'Se détériorer' almost always implies a duration. It is rarely an instantaneous event. A building doesn't 'se détériore' in a second; it takes years of neglect. A friendship doesn't 'se détériore' over one argument; it's a series of misunderstandings. This temporal aspect is crucial for choosing the right verb in French. If something breaks suddenly, use 'se casser'. If it wears down slowly, 'se détériorer' is your best choice. By integrating this word into your vocabulary, you demonstrate an ability to discuss complex processes and serious topics with the precision expected at the A2 level and beyond. It shows you understand that not all 'bad things' are the same; some are the result of a slow, painful, or inevitable decline.

Using se détériorer correctly requires an understanding of pronominal verb conjugation and agreement. Because it is a reflexive verb, the pronoun (me, te, se, nous, vous, se) must match the subject. In the present tense, it follows the standard pattern for first-conjugation (-er) verbs. For example, 'La situation se détériore' (The situation is deteriorating). When moving to the passé composé, you must use 'être'. This is a common pitfall for English speakers who are used to using 'have' (avoir) for almost everything. Therefore, you must say 'L'état du patient s'est détérioré' and not 'a détérioré'. Furthermore, because we use 'être', the past participle 'détérioré' must agree in gender and number with the subject. If the subject is feminine plural, like 'les relations', you must write 'Les relations se sont détériorées'. This attention to detail is what separates a beginner from an intermediate speaker.

Present Tense Usage: Je me détériore, tu te détériores, il/elle/on se détériore, nous nous détériorons, vous vous détériorez, ils/elles se détériorent. Example: 'Avec le temps, tout se détériore'.

Ma vue se détériore d'année en année, j'ai besoin de nouvelles lunettes.

In the future tense, it is often used to make predictions about the environment or politics. 'Si nous ne faisons rien, la qualité de l'air se détériorera'. Here, the verb maintains its reflexive pronoun even in the future. In the imperfect (imparfait), it is used to describe a state of decline that was happening in the past: 'Le vieux château se détériorait lentement sous la pluie'. This provides a vivid backdrop for a story. When using the imperative (giving a command), although rare for this specific verb, it would follow the reflexive pattern: 'Ne te détériore pas !' (though one would more likely say 'Ne te laisse pas aller'). More commonly, you will find it in the infinitive after another verb: 'Je ne veux pas voir notre amitié se détériorer'. This construction is very elegant and common in French literature and formal speech.

Agreement in Passé Composé: Subject (Fem. Plur.) + se sont + détériorées. Example: 'Les routes se sont détériorées après l'hiver rigoureux'.

Another important aspect is the use of adverbs. Since 'se détériorer' describes a process, adverbs of speed or intensity are frequent companions. 'Se détériorer rapidement' (to deteriorate quickly), 'se détériorer progressivement' (to deteriorate gradually), or 'se détériorer gravement' (to deteriorate seriously). These adverbs usually follow the verb directly. For example: 'Le climat s'est détérioré brutalement'. This adds a layer of description that helps the listener understand the severity of the situation. In negative sentences, the 'ne... pas' wraps around the pronoun and the auxiliary in compound tenses: 'La situation ne s'est pas détériorée'. Mastering these structural rules allows you to use 'se détériorer' in any context, from a medical report to a casual conversation about a broken-down car. It is a workhorse of a verb that, once mastered, will significantly improve your expressive range in French.

Il est triste de voir ce monument historique se détériorer ainsi.

Les relations entre les deux pays se sont détériorées après le conflit.

Negative Construction: Ne + pronoun + verb + pas. Example: 'Heureusement, son état ne se détériore plus'.

You will encounter se détériorer in a variety of real-world French settings, ranging from the evening news to professional assessments. One of the most common places is in meteorological reports. When a weather front is moving in, the presenter might say, 'Le temps va se détériorer sur le nord du pays demain après-midi' (The weather is going to worsen over the north of the country tomorrow afternoon). In this context, it is a standard, professional way to describe a change from sunny to rainy or stormy conditions. Similarly, in the world of journalism, reporters use it to describe social or political climates. You might hear, 'Le climat social se détériore à Paris suite aux nouvelles mesures' (The social climate is deteriorating in Paris following the new measures). It conveys a sense of rising tension and instability that 'devenir mauvais' simply cannot capture.

Medical Settings: Doctors and nurses use it to track patient progress. 'L'état de santé du patient s'est détérioré pendant la nuit' is a common phrase in hospital reports.

Selon le bulletin météo, les conditions de navigation vont se détériorer en mer.

In urban planning and real estate, you'll hear it used to describe the state of buildings or neighborhoods. A real estate agent might warn a buyer, 'Si vous ne faites pas de travaux, la toiture va se détériorer rapidement' (If you don't do work, the roof will deteriorate quickly). It is also frequently used in the news to discuss international relations. When two countries are on the brink of a trade war or conflict, the phrase 'Les relations diplomatiques se détériorent' is a staple of French political discourse. It suggests a slow, painful breakdown of communication. Even in the tech world, developers might use it to describe 'code rot' or the way software performance declines over time if not maintained: 'La performance de l'application se détériore avec l'accumulation de données'.

News & Media: Frequent in headlines regarding the economy: 'Le pouvoir d'achat des Français se détériore' (The purchasing power of the French is deteriorating).

Lastly, you will find it in academic and scientific texts. Environmental studies are full of this verb. 'La qualité des sols se détériore à cause de l'agriculture intensive' (Soil quality is deteriorating due to intensive agriculture). In these contexts, it is the precise, scientific term for degradation. By listening for this word in podcasts like 'Journal en français facile' or reading newspapers like 'Le Figaro', you will see how it functions as a versatile tool for describing any negative progression. It is not just a word for 'getting bad'; it is a word for the process of losing value, health, or stability. Whether it's a car engine, a diplomatic tie, or a patient's breathing, 'se détériorer' is the verb of choice for the observant French speaker.

On constate que la situation sécuritaire se détériore dans cette région du monde.

Malheureusement, la qualité du service client s'est détériorée cette année.

Academic Context: Often used in sociology to describe the 'détérioration des liens sociaux' (deterioration of social bonds) within a community.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with se détériorer is forgetting the reflexive pronoun 'se'. In English, we say 'the situation deteriorated', where the verb appears to act on itself without a reflexive marker. In French, however, you must include the pronoun because the verb 'détériorer' is primarily transitive (meaning to damage something else). If you say 'la situation détériore', a French speaker will be waiting for you to say *what* the situation is damaging. To say that the situation *itself* is getting worse, you must use 'se détériorer'. This is a fundamental difference between English and French logic that requires constant practice. Another common mistake is the auxiliary choice in the passé composé. As mentioned, all reflexive verbs in French use 'être'. Saying 'la situation a détérioré' is double error: it lacks the reflexive pronoun and uses the wrong auxiliary.

The 'Se' Omission: Incorrect: 'Le temps détériore'. Correct: 'Le temps se détériore'. Without the 'se', the sentence is incomplete.

Attention : on ne dit pas 'la santé a détérioré', mais 'la santé s'est détériorée'.

Spelling and accents also pose a challenge. The verb has two acute accents (é). Many learners forget the second one or place it on the wrong syllable. Remember: dé-té-ri-o-rer. In the future tense, the accents remain: 'il se détériorera'. In the present tense, the 'e' in the ending changes depending on the subject, but the stem accents are stable. Furthermore, agreement of the past participle is a classic trap. Since it uses 'être', 'détérioré' must agree with the subject. 'La situation (feminine) s'est détériorée (add an e)'. 'Les bâtiments (masculine plural) se sont détériorés (add an s)'. Neglecting this agreement is a sign of a learner who hasn't yet internalized the rules of French pronominal verbs.

Confusion with 'Empirer': Learners often use 'empirer' for everything. While 'empirer' is correct for situations, 'se détériorer' is much better for physical objects and formal reports. Don't over-rely on 'empirer'.

Finally, there is the confusion between 'se détériorer' and 'détériorer'. Remember: 'détériorer' (without 'se') is something you do to something else. 'Il a détérioré la voiture' (He damaged the car). 'Se détériorer' is something that happens to the subject itself. 'La voiture se détériore' (The car is falling apart/deteriorating). This distinction is vital for clear communication. If you tell a mechanic 'j'ai détérioré ma voiture', he will think you crashed it. If you say 'ma voiture se détériore', he will think it's old and rusting. Choosing the right form changes the meaning entirely. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you will use 'se détériorer' with the confidence and accuracy of a near-native speaker.

Ne pas confondre : 'Il a détérioré le livre' (action) et 'Le livre s'est détérioré' (état).

Erreur fréquente : 'Les choses se sont détérioré' au lieu de 'détériorées'.

Preposition Pitfall: 'Se détériorer' is usually followed by 'avec' (with) or 'à cause de' (because of). Avoid using English-influenced prepositions like 'en'.

French offers a rich palette of verbs to describe things getting worse, and choosing the right one depends on the context and the register. While se détériorer is a fantastic all-rounder, you might sometimes want to be more specific. For physical objects, s'abîmer is very common in everyday speech. If you drop a fruit and it gets a bruise, or if your clothes get worn out from washing, you use 's'abîmer'. It's less formal and less 'serious' than 'se détériorer'. For situations, health, or weather, s'empirer (or simply empirer) is a direct synonym. 'La situation empire' is very common. However, 'se détériorer' sounds slightly more analytical or clinical. If you are writing an essay or a report, 'se détériorer' is almost always the better choice.

S'abîmer vs Se détériorer: 'S'abîmer' is for minor physical damage (scratches, wear). 'Se détériorer' is for structural or deep decline (rot, crumbling, systemic failure).

Mes chaussures se sont abîmées à force de marcher, mais le cuir se détériore s'il n'est pas nourri.

In more formal or literary contexts, you might encounter péricliter. This verb is specifically used for businesses, health, or institutions that are slowly heading toward ruin. 'Son entreprise périclite' suggests a slow death. Another high-level alternative is se dégrader. In many cases, 'se dégrader' and 'se détériorer' are interchangeable, but 'se dégrader' is very common when talking about the environment (la dégradation de l'environnement) or human behavior (une situation qui se dégrade). If you want to talk about health specifically, décliner is a beautiful, albeit sad, choice: 'Sa santé décline'. This implies a fading away, often due to old age. For weather, besides 'se détériorer', you can say se gâter. 'Le temps se gâte' is a very idiomatic way to say the weather is turning bad.

S'aggraver: Used primarily for problems, illnesses, or crises. 'La crise s'aggrave' means the problem is becoming more serious or intense.

Understanding these synonyms allows you to vary your vocabulary and match the tone of your conversation. If you are talking to a friend about a phone screen, use 's'abîmer'. If you are discussing the state of the economy in a university seminar, use 'se détériorer' or 'se dégrader'. If you are describing the plot of a tragic novel where a family's fortune is lost, 'péricliter' would be a masterful choice. Each of these words carries a specific 'flavor' of worsening. By mastering 'se détériorer' first, you build a solid foundation, and then you can layer these other verbs on top to become a truly nuanced French speaker. Remember: in French, precision is prized. Using 'se détériorer' correctly shows you have moved beyond basic adjectives like 'mauvais' and are engaging with the language's capacity for detailed description.

Le temps se gâte, nous devrions rentrer avant l'orage.

Depuis le départ du directeur, l'ambiance au bureau se dégrade.

Summary of Alternatives: S'abîmer (wear/tear), S'aggraver (intensify badness), Se dégrader (general decline), Péricliter (formal ruin), Se gâter (weather/mood).

How Formal Is It?

재미있는 사실

The root 'deterior' is the comparative form of a lost Latin adjective. It literally means 'further down' or 'lower', which is why we use it to describe a 'downward' trend.

발음 가이드

UK /sə de.te.ʁjɔ.ʁe/

US /sə de.te.ri.o.re/

In French, stress is usually on the last syllable: 'se dé-té-ri-o-RER'.

라임이 맞는 단어

améliorer décorer adorer ignorer explorer dévorer colorer élaborer

자주 하는 실수

Pronouncing 'ri-o' as one syllable like 'ryo'.
Forgetting to pronounce the 'é' sounds clearly.
Making the 'r' sound like an English 'r' instead of the French uvular 'r'.
Misplacing the stress on the first syllable.
Slurring the reflexive pronoun 'se' too much.

난이도

독해 2/5

Easy to recognize due to the English cognate 'deteriorate'.

쓰기 4/5

Difficult due to reflexive conjugation, 'être' auxiliary, and past participle agreement.

말하기 3/5

Moderate. The pronunciation of 'ri-o' and the 'r' sounds can be tricky for beginners.

듣기 3/5

Common in news and weather reports, so it's important to recognize the 'se' before the verb.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

mauvais devenir changer se casser vieux

다음에 배울 것

s'améliorer décliner péricliter la dégradation l'entretien

고급

l'obsolescence programmée la vétusté l'érosion la déliquescence l'atrophie

알아야 할 문법

Reflexive Verbs and 'Être'

La situation s'est détériorée (not 'a détérioré').

Past Participle Agreement

Les maisons se sont détériorées (agreement with 'maisons').

Subjunctive after 'Il est regrettable que'

Il est regrettable que la situation se détériore.

Position of Adverbs with Compound Tenses

La situation s'est rapidement détériorée.

Negative Reflexive Verbs

Le temps ne se détériore pas encore.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

수준별 예문

Le temps se détériore aujourd'hui.

The weather is getting worse today.

Present tense of a reflexive verb.

Mon vieux jouet se détériore.

My old toy is falling apart.

Subject-verb agreement.

Le gâteau se détériore vite au soleil.

The cake spoils quickly in the sun.

Adverb 'vite' follows the verb.

Pourquoi l'école se détériore ?

Why is the school falling into disrepair?

Simple question structure.

La situation se détériore ici.

The situation is getting worse here.

Use of 'ici' for location.

Ma chaussure se détériore.

My shoe is getting damaged.

Singular feminine subject.

Le livre se détériore avec l'eau.

The book is getting ruined with water.

Preposition 'avec'.

Le mur se détériore un peu.

The wall is deteriorating a little.

Quantifier 'un peu'.

La maison s'est détériorée pendant l'hiver.

The house deteriorated during the winter.

Passé composé with 'être' and feminine agreement.

Sa santé se détériore à cause du froid.

His health is deteriorating because of the cold.

Using 'à cause de' for reason.

Les fruits se détériorent dans le panier.

The fruits are spoiling in the basket.

Plural verb agreement.

Cette voiture se détériore trop vite.

This car is deteriorating too fast.

Use of 'trop' + adverb.

Le quartier se détériore depuis un an.

The neighborhood has been deteriorating for a year.

Use of 'depuis' with present tense.

Est-ce que ton vélo se détériore ?

Is your bike falling apart?

Interrogative form with 'est-ce que'.

Les relations se sont détériorées.

Relations have worsened.

Feminine plural agreement in passé composé.

Le climat se détériore dans le pays.

The climate is getting worse in the country.

Abstract usage of 'climat'.

L'ambiance au bureau se détériore de jour en jour.

The atmosphere at the office is deteriorating day by day.

Expression 'de jour en jour'.

Si nous n'agissons pas, la situation se détériorera.

If we don't act, the situation will deteriorate.

Future tense in a 'si' clause.

L'état de la route s'est gravement détérioré.

The condition of the road has seriously deteriorated.

Adverb 'gravement' between auxiliary and participle.

Je ne veux pas que notre amitié se détériore.

I don't want our friendship to deteriorate.

Subjunctive mood after 'vouloir que'.

La qualité du service se détériore depuis le changement de patron.

The quality of service has been deteriorating since the change of boss.

Present tense with 'depuis'.

Les monuments historiques se détériorent à cause de la pollution.

Historical monuments are deteriorating because of pollution.

Plural subject and verb.

On a remarqué que les conditions de vie se détérioraient.

It was noticed that living conditions were deteriorating.

Imperfect tense for description.

Il est possible que la situation se détériore davantage.

It is possible that the situation will deteriorate further.

Subjunctive mood after 'il est possible que'.

Le pouvoir d'achat des ménages se détériore progressivement.

The purchasing power of households is progressively deteriorating.

Economic terminology.

Les infrastructures urbaines se sont détériorées par manque d'entretien.

Urban infrastructure has deteriorated due to a lack of maintenance.

Agreement with feminine plural subject.

La situation sécuritaire s'est détériorée de manière alarmante.

The security situation has deteriorated in an alarming manner.

Adverbial phrase 'de manière alarmante'.

Bien que le projet soit bon, sa mise en œuvre se détériore.

Although the project is good, its implementation is deteriorating.

Concession clause with 'bien que'.

Les négociations risquent de se détériorer si aucun accord n'est trouvé.

Negotiations risk deteriorating if no agreement is found.

Infinitive after 'risquer de'.

Le climat social s'est détérioré suite aux annonces du gouvernement.

The social climate deteriorated following the government's announcements.

Use of 'suite à'.

On craint que la santé de l'économie ne se détériore.

There are fears that the health of the economy will deteriorate.

Ne explétif after 'craindre que'.

La relation client-fournisseur s'est détériorée au fil des litiges.

The customer-supplier relationship deteriorated over the course of the disputes.

Expression 'au fil de'.

L'équilibre écologique de la région se détériore de façon irréversible.

The ecological balance of the region is deteriorating irreversibly.

Advanced adverb 'irréversible'.

La qualité du débat politique s'est considérablement détériorée ces dernières années.

The quality of political debate has considerably deteriorated in recent years.

Adverb 'considérablement'.

On assiste à une détérioration des liens sociaux qui se détériorent chaque jour.

We are witnessing a deterioration of social bonds that are getting worse every day.

Noun and verb usage in the same context.

Il est impératif d'intervenir avant que le patrimoine ne se détériore davantage.

It is imperative to intervene before the heritage deteriorates further.

Subjunctive with 'avant que' and 'ne explétif'.

La situation s'est détériorée au point de nécessiter une intervention militaire.

The situation deteriorated to the point of requiring military intervention.

Expression 'au point de'.

La confiance des investisseurs se détériore face à l'instabilité législative.

Investor confidence is deteriorating in the face of legislative instability.

Complex subject 'la confiance des investisseurs'.

Le climat de travail s'est détérioré, entrainant de nombreux départs.

The working climate deteriorated, leading to many departures.

Present participle 'entrainant' as a consequence.

La structure même du bâtiment se détériore à cause de l'érosion saline.

The very structure of the building is deteriorating due to salt erosion.

Specific scientific terminology.

La situation s'est détériorée jusqu'à l'irréparable.

The situation deteriorated to the point of being irreparable.

Prepositional phrase 'jusqu'à'.

On ne saurait ignorer la manière dont les services publics se détériorent.

One cannot ignore the way in which public services are deteriorating.

Formal 'ne saurait' construction.

Que la situation se détériore ainsi est une véritable tragédie nationale.

That the situation is deteriorating in this way is a true national tragedy.

Subjunctive at the start of a sentence.

Le tissu social se détériore sous le poids des inégalités croissantes.

The social fabric is deteriorating under the weight of growing inequalities.

Metaphorical usage.

Nul n'aurait pu prédire que les relations se détérioreraient avec une telle célérité.

No one could have predicted that relations would deteriorate with such speed.

Conditionnel passé and 'célérité'.

La qualité de l'air se détériore, compromettant la santé des générations futures.

Air quality is deteriorating, compromising the health of future generations.

Complex sentence with participial phrase.

Il est à craindre que le climat politique ne se détériore encore davantage.

It is to be feared that the political climate will deteriorate even further.

Passive infinitive 'Il est à craindre'.

Bien que l'économie semble stable, les indicateurs sous-jacents se détériorent.

Although the economy seems stable, the underlying indicators are deteriorating.

Contrast between appearance and reality.

자주 쓰는 조합

se détériorer rapidement

se détériorer progressivement

la santé se détériore

le temps se détériore

la situation se détériore

se détériorer gravement

les relations se détériorent

la qualité se détériore

se détériorer avec l'âge

se détériorer à vue d'œil

자주 쓰는 구문

L'état de la route se détériore.

— The road condition is getting worse. Used by drivers or local news.

L'état de la route se détériore à cause des camions.

Le climat social se détériore.

— The social mood/atmosphere is getting worse. Used in politics.

Le climat social se détériore avant les élections.

Sa vue se détériore.

— His/her eyesight is failing. Used in medical contexts.

Sa vue se détériore, elle doit porter des lunettes.

Les conditions climatiques se détériorent.

— The weather conditions are worsening. Used in weather reports.

Les conditions climatiques se détériorent en montagne.

La situation s'est détériorée.

— The situation has gotten worse. A general phrase for any problem.

La situation s'est détériorée hier soir.

Le bâtiment se détériore faute d'entretien.

— The building is falling apart due to lack of maintenance. Used in real estate.

Ce vieux château se détériore faute d'entretien.

La relation se détériore.

— The relationship is turning sour. Used for friends or couples.

Leur relation se détériore depuis leur dispute.

La qualité de l'air se détériore.

— Air quality is getting worse. Used in environmental news.

La qualité de l'air se détériore en été.

Le pouvoir d'achat se détériore.

— Purchasing power is declining. Used in economics.

Le pouvoir d'achat se détériore avec l'inflation.

Tout se détériore avec le temps.

— Everything gets worse with time. A philosophical observation.

Ne t'inquiète pas, tout se détériore avec le temps.

자주 혼동되는 단어

se détériorer vs détériorer

The non-reflexive version means to damage something else. 'Il a détérioré la table' (He damaged the table).

se détériorer vs s'empirer

A synonym, but 'se détériorer' is more specific to physical or structural decline.

se détériorer vs déterminer

Sounds similar but means 'to determine' or 'to decide'.

관용어 및 표현

"Se détériorer à vue d'œil"

— To deteriorate visibly or very quickly, right before one's eyes.

Avec cette humidité, le bois se détériore à vue d'œil.

standard

"Laisser se détériorer"

— To let something fall into disrepair or neglect something until it gets worse.

Il ne faut pas laisser se détériorer la situation.

standard

"Se détériorer au point de..."

— To get worse to the extent that something specific happens.

La situation s'est détériorée au point de devenir ingérable.

standard

"Ne pas laisser la situation se détériorer"

— To prevent things from getting worse; to take action early.

Le gouvernement doit agir pour ne pas laisser la situation se détériorer.

formal

"Se détériorer de mal en pis"

— To go from bad to worse (though 'aller de mal en pis' is more common, this is used).

L'état du patient se détériore de mal en pis.

standard

"Se détériorer irrémédiablement"

— To get worse in a way that cannot be fixed.

Certaines archives se sont détériorées irrémédiablement.

formal

"Se détériorer par la base"

— To deteriorate from the foundation or the core.

Le système se détériore par la base.

academic

"Se détériorer sous l'effet de..."

— To get worse because of the influence of something.

Le métal se détériore sous l'effet de la rouille.

standard

"Une santé qui se détériore"

— A failing health (common descriptive phrase).

Il s'inquiète pour sa santé qui se détériore.

standard

"Un climat qui se détériore"

— A souring atmosphere (usually social or political).

On sent un climat qui se détériore dans l'entreprise.

standard

혼동하기 쉬운

se détériorer vs s'abîmer

Both mean to get worse/damaged.

'S'abîmer' is for minor surface damage or wear (clothes, fruit). 'Se détériorer' is for deep, structural, or serious decline.

Ma chemise s'est abîmée au lavage, mais la structure du pont se détériore.

se détériorer vs s'aggraver

Both imply getting worse.

'S'aggraver' is used for problems, illnesses, or negative abstract situations (a crisis). 'Se détériorer' is used for the condition or quality of a thing.

La crise s'aggrave, car l'économie se détériore.

se détériorer vs se dégrader

Very similar meanings.

'Se dégrader' is often used for the environment or human status/dignity. They are often interchangeable, but 'se dégrader' is slightly more common in social science.

Le climat social se dégrade rapidement.

se détériorer vs se gâter

Both used for weather.

'Se gâter' is more idiomatic and specifically used for the weather or a situation that was good but is now turning sour.

Le temps se gâte, rentrons vite !

se détériorer vs péricliter

Both mean to decline.

'Péricliter' is much more formal and usually refers to the imminent ruin of a business or health.

L'empire a commencé à péricliter après la guerre.

문장 패턴

Le [nom] se détériore.

Le temps se détériore.

Le [nom] s'est détérioré.

La maison s'est détériorée.

La situation se détériore à cause de [nom].

La situation se détériore à cause du bruit.

Je ne veux pas que [nom] se détériore.

Je ne veux pas que notre relation se détériore.

[Nom] se détériore de jour en jour.

Le climat social se détériore de jour en jour.

[Nom] risque de se détériorer.

La situation risque de se détériorer.

On assiste à une détérioration de [nom].

On assiste à une détérioration des services publics.

Il est à craindre que [nom] ne se détériore.

Il est à craindre que le climat ne se détériore davantage.

어휘 가족

명사

détérioration (the act of getting worse)

détériorateur (something that causes deterioration - rare)

동사

détériorer (transitive: to damage something)

se détériorer (reflexive: to become worse)

형용사

détérioré (deteriorated/damaged)

détériorable (capable of deteriorating)

사용법

frequency

Very common in news, weather, and professional reports.

자주 하는 실수

La situation détériore. → La situation se détériore.
In French, you must use the reflexive pronoun 'se' to show that the situation itself is the thing changing.
La santé a détérioré. → La santé s'est détériorée.
Reflexive verbs always use 'être' in the past tense, and the past participle must agree with the feminine subject 'santé'.
Le temps va détériorer. → Le temps va se détériorer.
Even in the near future (aller + infinitive), the reflexive pronoun 'se' must be present.
Les relations se sont détérioré. → Les relations se sont détériorées.
The past participle must agree in gender and number with the subject (feminine plural 'relations').
J'ai détérioré ma santé. → Ma santé se détériore.
While 'j'ai détérioré' is grammatically correct (I damaged...), it's more common to say 'ma santé se détériore' to describe the state of your health declining.

팁

Don't forget the 'se'

Always include the reflexive pronoun. In English, we don't say 'the weather worsens itself', but in French, the 'se' is mandatory to indicate the subject is the one undergoing the change.

Watch the accents

The verb has two 'é' accents. Remember: d-é-t-é-r-i-o-r-e-r. Both are acute accents pointing to the top right.

Register matters

Use 's'abîmer' for your old sneakers and 'se détériorer' for the crumbling walls of the Louvre. Matching the word to the importance of the object makes you sound more native.

The 'ri-o' glide

Make sure to pronounce the 'i' and the 'o' as separate beats. Practice: dé-té-ri... o-rer. This clarity is a mark of good French pronunciation.

Être auxiliary

In the past tense, it's always 's'est détérioré'. Never use 'a détérioré' when describing a situation getting worse.

Match the gender

If the subject is feminine (like 'la santé'), add an 'e' to the past participle: 's'est détériorée'.

Weather reports

Listen to French weather forecasts. You will hear 'se détériorer' almost every time a storm is coming. It's the best way to hear it in a natural context.

Avoid 'empirer' sometimes

While 'empirer' is easy and correct, using 'se détériorer' for physical objects shows a higher level of vocabulary.

Use with adverbs

Pair 'se détériorer' with adverbs like 'rapidement' or 'progressivement' to add detail to your descriptions.

Cognate power

Since it looks like 'deteriorate', focus your energy on the French-specific parts: the 'se' and the conjugation.

암기하기

기억법

Think of 'Deteriorate' in English. They look and sound almost identical. Just remember to add the 'se' in French because it's something that happens *to* itself.

시각적 연상

Imagine a 'D' for 'Down'. A graph with a line going down, or a building with bricks falling off. The 'é' accents look like little slides going down.

Word Web

Worse Decay Decline Rot Fall apart Souring Fading Degrading

챌린지

Try to use 'se détériorer' in three different contexts today: once for the weather, once for your energy levels, and once for an old object in your house.

어원

Derived from the Latin verb 'deteriorare', which means 'to make worse'. This Latin verb comes from 'deterior', meaning 'worse'.

원래 의미: The original meaning in Latin was specifically to make something worse, which transitioned into French as both a transitive and reflexive action.

It belongs to the Romance language family, sharing roots with the English word 'deteriorate' and the Spanish 'deteriorar'.

문화적 맥락

When using it to describe a person's health, be aware that it sounds serious and clinical. Use it with empathy.

The English 'deteriorate' is often used more formally than the French 'se détériorer', which can be used for simple things like weather or fruit in everyday speech.

Used in news reports about the Notre-Dame de Paris before the fire. Commonly found in the writings of Victor Hugo to describe urban decay. Frequent in scientific reports on the melting of Alpine glaciers.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

Weather (Météo)

Le temps se détériore.
Les conditions météo se détériorent.
Le ciel se détériore.
La météo va se détériorer ce soir.

Health (Santé)

Son état de santé se détériore.
Sa vue se détériore.
Sa condition physique se détériore.
Sa mémoire se détériore.

Buildings/Objects (Bâtiments/Objets)

La façade se détériore.
Le moteur se détériore.
Le bois se détériore avec l'eau.
La toiture se détériore.

Relationships (Relations)

Leur amitié se détériore.
Le climat social se détériore.
Les relations diplomatiques se détériorent.
L'ambiance se détériore.

Economy (Économie)

Le pouvoir d'achat se détériore.
La situation économique se détériore.
Le marché se détériore.
La confiance se détériore.

대화 시작하기

"As-tu remarqué que le vieux bâtiment au coin de la rue commence à se détériorer ?"

"Penses-tu que la situation politique va se détériorer après les élections ?"

"Est-ce que tu as peur que ta santé se détériore en vieillissant ?"

"Comment peut-on empêcher les relations entre nos deux pays de se détériorer ?"

"Est-ce que le temps se détériore souvent dans ta région en automne ?"

일기 주제

Décrivez un objet que vous possédez et qui commence à se détériorer. Pourquoi est-il important pour vous ?

Pensez à une relation passée qui s'est détériorée. Qu'est-ce qui a causé ce déclin ?

Réfléchissez à l'état de l'environnement. Quelles parties de la nature se détériorent le plus vite selon vous ?

Écrivez sur une situation au travail ou à l'école qui s'est détériorée récemment. Comment avez-vous réagi ?

Imaginez le monde dans 50 ans. Quelles infrastructures se seront détériorées et pourquoi ?

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

Yes, 'se détériorer' always describes a change for the worse. You would never use it to describe an improvement. If something is getting better, you should use 's'améliorer' or 'se bonifier'.

Yes, but usually only for their health, mental state, or specific faculties like eyesight. You would say 'Sa santé se détériore', but you wouldn't say 'Il se détériore' to mean he's becoming a bad person.

'Détériorer' is transitive, meaning you damage something: 'J'ai détérioré le livre'. 'Se détériorer' is reflexive, meaning the thing itself is getting worse: 'Le livre se détériore'.

Yes, because it is a reflexive (pronominal) verb, the auxiliary is always 'être'. Example: 'La situation s'est détériorée'.

Pronounce it as two distinct syllables: /ri/ and /o/. It should sound like 'ree-oh'. Avoid merging them into a single sound.

It is standard to formal. You will hear it in the news and read it in books, but you can also use it in everyday conversation when you want to be precise about something getting worse.

Absolutely. 'Le temps se détériore' is a very common way to say the weather is turning bad, especially in weather reports.

The noun is 'la détérioration'. For example: 'On constate une détérioration de la situation'.

Yes, you can say 'Les aliments se détériorent' to mean they are spoiling or rotting, though 'se gâter' or 'pourrir' are also common for food.

Yes, 'Leurs relations se sont détériorées' is a perfect way to say their relationship has gone downhill.

무료 가입하고 팁과 노트 보기