degradar
/deɡɾadaɾ/from spelling rules
To say 'degrade' in Spanish, use degradar.
Degradar is a direct translation of 'degrade' used in formal contexts to express reducing someone's position or rank.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, desprestigiar is a common alternative for 'degrade'. In Latin America, desmerecer can be used to mean 'degrade' in formal situations.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of degradar is degradado. The noun form for the process of degradation is degradación.
How do you pronounce it?
/deɡɾadaɾ/
Did you know?
- In legal and ecclesiastical history, degradar specifically described the ritual removal of a priest's clerical status, stripping them of their religious garments.
- If you use degradar in a scientific context in Spanish, it most commonly refers to the chemical or environmental breakdown of a substance rather than a person's status.
- The root of degradar is the same as the English word 'grade', both coming from the Latin 'gradus' meaning 'step'.
Examples in context
- El gerente de la empresa lo degradó por su mal desempeño.The company's manager degraded him due to his poor performance.
- No deberías humillar a los demás solo para sentirte superior.You shouldn't degrade others just to feel superior.
- No te dejes menospreciar por nadie, tú vales mucho.Don't let anyone degrade you, you are worth a lot.
- No quiero denigrar a nadie, pero tu actitud no es la adecuada.I don't want to degrade anyone, but your attitude is not appropriate.
- Él me degradó frente a todosHe degraded me in front of everyone
- El sol puede degradar el plástico.The sun can degrade plastic.
- Ese químico puede degradar la calidad del agua.That chemical can degrade the water quality.
- El calor va a degradar la pintura.The heat is going to degrade the paint.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing the impact of plastic waste on the environment.
- LucíaEste material no se puede degradar rápido.This material cannot degrade quickly.
- AlejandroTienes razón, Lucía, es un problema grave.You are right, Lucía, it is a serious problem.
- Lucía¿Crees que podamos usar algo biodegradable?Do you think we could use something biodegradable?
- AlejandroSí, Alejandro cree que es la mejor opción.Yes, Alejandro thinks it is the best option.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries degradar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
