decay

Compared meaning: to rot or break down gradually (verb).

比较义项：腐烂（动词）。

• decay 本词

  The general word for rotting or gradual decline; used only intransitively and applies broadly, including non-organic or abstract things like teeth, buildings, or morals, without implying any decomposer organisms.

  泛指腐烂或逐渐衰败的通用词，只能用作不及物动词；使用范围较广，也可指非有机物或抽象事物的衰败，例如牙齿、建筑物或道德，并不暗示有分解者的作用。

  Tooth enamel can decay quickly when it's exposed to acid for too long.

  牙釉质如果长期接触酸性物质，很快就会腐烂。

• decompose

  Names the natural biological process of organic matter breaking down through bacteria or fungi; more technical, can be used transitively (bacteria decompose matter), and is never used for abstract decline.

  特指有机物在细菌、真菌等作用下自然分解的过程，语域更偏科学；既可用作不及物动词，也可带宾语（如细菌“分解”某物），不用于抽象意义上的衰败。

  Insects and bacteria decompose dead animals within a few weeks in warm weather.

  在温暖的天气里，昆虫和细菌能在几周内使动物尸体分解。

Decay and decompose are close in meaning, but differ in range and grammar. Decay is the general, intransitive word, applying also to non-organic or abstract things like teeth or buildings. Decompose focuses on organic matter breaking down through bacteria or fungi, and is more scientific.

这两个词在“腐烂”这一意义上很接近，容易混淆，但适用范围和语法不同：decay 是通用词，只能用作不及物动词，除了有机物外，也可指非有机物或抽象事物的衰败，例如牙齿、建筑物或道德；decompose 更强调有机物在细菌、真菌等作用下自然分解的过程，语域更偏科学，还可以带宾语。