Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| decaimiento | /dekaiˈmjento/ | masculine |
| deterioración | /deteɾjoɾaˈθjon/ /deteɾjoɾaˈsjon/ |
feminine |
| desintegración | /desinteɡɾaˈθjon/ /desinteɡɾaˈsjon/ |
feminine |
| decadencia | /dekaˈdenθja/ /dekaˈdensja/ |
feminine |
| descaecimiento | /deskaeθiˈmjento/ /deskaesiˈmjento/ |
masculine |
Use descomposición for the decomposition of food or plants, and putrefacción specifically for the process of rotting that involves foul odors. For the worsening of a physical object or health, use deterioración. When referring to the decline of social, moral or historical standards, use decadencia. If you are describing a loss of physical or mental energy, or a patient's general decline in medical condition, use decaimiento.
Which one should you use?
The different Spanish forms are specialized: deterioración refers to physical or material decay. decadencia is used figuratively for the decay of empires or morals. decaimiento describes a decline in vigor or mental state. For the action of decaying or declining, you can use the verb decaer, periclitar or descaecer.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
decaimiento is a masculine noun, while deterioración, desintegración and decadencia are feminine nouns. The verb decaer is used to describe the process of declining.
How do you pronounce it?
/dekaiˈmjento/
Did you know?
- When talking about 'decay' in teeth, Spanish speakers use caries, which is a feminine noun and often used in the plural form.
- While decadencia describes the 'decay' of an empire, it is also used to describe the 'decadent' style of art and luxury that precedes a collapse.
- The verb periclitar is a rare and highly formal way to say 'decay' or 'decline'. It is seldom used in conversation and is mostly found in legal or academic texts.
Examples in context
- La fruta se encuentra en estado de descomposiciónThe fruit is in a state of decay
- El cadáver mostraba signos de putrefacciónThe corpse showed signs of decay
- La comida dejada en el refrigerador sufrió pudriciónThe food left in the refrigerator suffered decay
- La amistad se deterioró y comenzó a mostrar señales de traiciónThe friendship decayed and began to show signs of betrayal
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are looking at an old house.
- AlejandroMira el decaimiento de estas paredes, María.Look at the decay of these walls, María.
- MaríaEs verdad, Alejandro, está muy descuidada.It is true, Alejandro, it is very neglected.
- AlejandroCrees que se puede reparar el daño?Do you think the damage can be repaired?
- MaríaSí, pero costará mucho dinero.Yes, but it will cost a lot of money.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “decay” translations and entries decaimiento, deterioración, desintegración, decadencia, descaecimiento, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
