退化 tuìhuà to degenerate
to degenerate; atrophy
How to remember 退化: 退 to retreat + 化 change = to degenerate.
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How it is used
- To degenerate / atrophy / regress - 肌肉长期不用会退化 (jīròu chángqī búyòng huì tuìhuà) muscles atrophy if long unused.
- Biological (evolutionary degeneration, organ atrophy) and figurative decline in ability/quality (功能退化 functional decline).
- 退化 = deterioration/regression to a worse state; opposite of 进化 (jìnhuà, to evolve) and 发展. Note 化 marks the gradual transformation - 进化论 (jìnhuàlùn) the theory of evolution.