加剧 jiājù to intensify
怎么记住“加剧”: 加 to add + 剧 theatrical plays = to intensify.
汉字
用法
- To intensify or worsen - used of negative trends and tensions: 矛盾加剧 (máodùn jiājù) the conflict intensifies, 加剧污染 (jiājù wūrǎn) aggravate pollution.
- Almost always about bad things getting worse, unlike neutral 加强 (jiāqiáng, strengthen) which is usually positive/deliberate.
- Formal, common in news and analysis.