Usage Note
Décomposer is used in chemistry and biology for organic decay, but also analytically — décomposer un problème means to break a problem down into parts. The reflexive se décomposer also means to become visibly shaken: son visage s'est décomposé describes someone's face falling in horror or shock.
Examples
"La matière organique se décompose lentement."
Natural Translation
Organic matter decomposes slowly.
Related Words
Explore French by topic
FrenchNow
5 min read
FrenchNow
6 min read