sich verschlechtern
to worsen
To become worse; to move into a more negative state.
EXAMPLE
Sein Gesundheitszustand hat sich über Nacht leider verschlechtert.
Unfortunately, his health condition worsened overnight.
verschlechtern
to worsen
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
verschlechtern
to worsen
To make something worse; to negatively affect the quality or condition of something.
EXAMPLE
Zusätzliche Änderungen würden die ohnehin schon angespannte Situation nur noch verschlechtern.
Additional changes would only worsen the already tense situation.
Usage tips
Word structure
The verb 'verschlechtern' (to worsen) is derived from the adjective 'schlechter' (worse). The prefix 'ver-' here describes the process of changing toward a worse state.
EXAMPLE
Die Qualität ist jetzt noch schlechter als vorher.
The quality is now even worse than before.
Reflexive vs. transitive
This verb has two important uses: 'sich verschlechtern' (to worsen, reflexive) means that something becomes worse on its own. 'Etwas verschlechtern' (to worsen something, transitive) means that someone or something actively makes a condition worse.
EXAMPLE
Das Wetter hat sich plötzlich verschlechtert.
The weather suddenly worsened.
Typical collocations
In the reflexive form 'sich verschlechtern' (to worsen), typical subjects are impersonal things such as 'die Lage' (the situation), 'die Situation' (the situation), 'das Verhältnis' (the relationship), or 'der Gesundheitszustand' (the health condition).
EXAMPLE
Die wirtschaftliche Lage im Land hat sich weiter verschlechtert.
The economic situation in the country has worsened further.
Compare with
verschlechtern vs beeinträchtigen
to impair
Beeinträchtigen refers to a disruptive or negative effect and does not necessarily claim a clearly measurable deterioration. Verschlechtern more strongly indicates that the condition or quality actually becomes worse. The key question is therefore whether the effect or the result is being emphasized.
verschlechtern
Der dauernde Schlafmangel hat die Leistung der Schülerin deutlich verschlechtert.
The student's performance has clearly worsened because of the ongoing lack of sleep.
beeinträchtigen
Wenig Schlaf kann die Leistung der Schülerin beeinträchtigen.
Lack of sleep can impair the student's performance.
In real life
Loading video examples...