Empirer vs. s'aggraver vs. se détériorer vs. se dégrader
The French verbs 'empirer', 's'aggraver', 'se détériorer', and 'se dégrader' all convey the idea of a situation becoming worse, but they are used in different contexts and carry slightly different connotations. Understanding these nuances will help you choose the appropriate word for various situations.
Empirer
'Empirer' implies a general deterioration or worsening of a situation or condition, without necessarily suggesting a particular way or rate at which things are getting worse.
La météo va empirer demain.
(The weather is going to worsen tomorrow.)
Son état de santé a empiré pendant la nuit.
(His health condition worsened during the night.)
S'aggraver
'S'aggraver' also means to get worse, but it often suggests a progression or an increase in severity, particularly in medical or formal contexts.
Les symptômes du patient commencent à s'aggraver.
(The patient's symptoms are beginning to get worse.)
La crise économique pourrait s'aggraver si aucune mesure n'est prise.
(The economic crisis could get worse if no action is taken.)
Se détériorer
'Se détériorer' implies a decline in quality or condition, often used about physical objects, health, or situations that degrade over time.
L'état de la voiture s'est détérioré après l'accident.
(The car's condition deteriorated after the accident.)
Sa relation avec son frère s'est détériorée au fil des ans.
(His relationship with his brother has deteriorated over the years.)
Se dégrader
'Se dégrader' refers to a decrease in rank, status, or quality and can also imply moral or environmental degradation.
Les conditions de travail se sont dégradées depuis le changement de direction.
(Work conditions have degraded since the change of management.)
La situation environnementale se dégrade à cause de la pollution.
(The environmental situation is getting worse because of pollution.)
Summary
The French terms 'empirer', 's'aggraver', 'se détériorer', and 'se dégrader' all translate to forms of 'to worsen', yet their usage varies by context. 'Empirer' is more general, 's’aggraver' connotes an increase in severity, often medically or formally; 'se détériorer' signifies a decline over time typically of quality or condition; while 'se dégrader' deals with deterioration that includes moral or environmental aspects—each term carries nuanced connotations suited for different situations of decline.