to decay / degenerate
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to decay
To fall into a bad, dilapidated, or neglected state. This often refers to buildings, places, or objects.
Das alte Fabrikgelände ist über die Jahre völlig verkommen.
The old factory site has completely decayed over the years.
'Verkommen' (to decay/degenerate) is an inseparable verb with the prefix 'ver-'. This prefix often indicates a negative change or a process of decline, which is exactly the meaning of the verb.
Ich kann nicht glauben, wie sehr dieses schöne Haus verkommen ist.
I can't believe how much this beautiful house has decayed.
The perfect tense of 'verkommen' (to decay/degenerate) is always formed with 'sein' (to be), because it describes a change of state. So it is 'ist verkommen' (has decayed/degenerate), not 'hat verkommen'.
Der Park ist in den letzten Jahren leider völlig verkommen.
Unfortunately, the park has completely decayed in recent years.
You can recognize the meaning from the subject: If the verb refers to places or things, it is about structural decay. If it refers to people, it means moral or social decline. The preposition 'zu' (into/to) introduces a negative development.
Das Gebäude ist verkommen und einsturzgefährdet.
The building is decayed and at risk of collapse.
When 'verkommen' (to deteriorate) is applied to people, it has a very strong, negative, and often derogatory meaning. It describes deep moral, social, or physical decline.
Ohne Hilfe von Freunden wäre er auf der Straße verkommen.
Without help from friends, he would have deteriorated on the street.
In this meaning, 'verkommen' (to degenerate) is always used with the preposition 'zu' and the dative. The structure is: [something] verkommt zu [something negative].
Die friedliche Demonstration ist zu einer gewalttätigen Auseinandersetzung verkommen.
The peaceful demonstration degenerated into a violent confrontation.
to decay / expire
'verfallen' and 'verkommen' can both describe something or someone falling into a bad state. With buildings, places, or objects, they are sometimes similar. 'verfallen' often sounds as if age, time, or lack of care is making the condition worse. 'verkommen' puts more emphasis on neglect and can also have a morally or socially negative tone. Learners may confuse the words because both describe decline. As a practical rule: for old houses, 'verfallen' often fits. When something becomes uncared-for, run-down, or even morally bad, 'verkommen' is more likely to fit.
Der kleine Park ist zu einem schmutzigen Platz verkommen.
The small park has deteriorated into a dirty place.
Das alte Haus am Fluss verfällt, weil sich seit Jahren niemand darum kümmert.
The old house by the river is decaying because no one has taken care of it for years.