degenerado
/dexeneˈɾado/
The English word 'degenerate' is translated into Spanish as degenerado.
The term is primarily used as an adjective to describe something that has deteriorated, degraded or fallen from a normal state. Related to this, the verb degenerar means to cause something to lose its good or desirable qualities. You can also use the word as a noun to refer to a person who has fallen from a previous stature or has lost their moral qualities.
Meaning: having deteriorated, degraded or fallen from normal (adj)
Which one should you use?
While degenerado functions as an adjective meaning 'deteriorated', it can also be used as a noun to identify a person who has lost their moral qualities. To express the action of losing quality, use the verb degenerar.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, degenerado must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use degenerada for feminine nouns, degenerados for masculine or mixed-gender plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/dexeneˈɾado/
Did you know?
- If you use degenerado to describe a person, you are often implying a loss of their 'lineage' or 'race', as the root refers to falling away from one's original kind or family.
- In modern internet slang, the use of degenerado to mean 'pervert' has been heavily influenced by the English word 'degenerate'.
- While degenerado is heavily used to denote moral corruption, it is also used in scientific contexts, such as in mathematics or physics, to describe 'degenerate' forms or states that lack distinctiveness.
Examples in context
- Juan es un degenerado y no merece tu confianza.Juan is a degenerate and doesn't deserve your trust.
- El sistema de valores se ha vuelto degenerado.The system of values has become degenerate.
- Ese es un comportamiento degenerado.That is a degenerate behavior.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are discussing a controversial news report.
- Daniel¿Viste las noticias sobre ese grupo?Did you see the news about that group?
- ElenaSí, es un comportamiento degenerado.Yes, it is a degenerate behavior.
- DanielEs realmente preocupante, Elena.It is really worrying, Elena.
- ElenaTotalmente de acuerdo contigo, Daniel.Totally agree with you, Daniel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “degenerate” translations and entries degenerado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries degenerado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
