What does "break down" mean?

To collapse emotionally To lose control of emotions, often crying.

How do you use "break down" in a sentence?

She broke down in tears. He broke down when he heard the news. I nearly broke down.

Phrasal Verb BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

Meaning: To collapse emotionally

情绪崩溃，哭泣

Derrumbarse, venirse abajo

感情的に崩れる、泣き崩れる

감정이 무너지다, 울음을 터뜨리다

To lose control of emotions, often crying.

失去对情绪的控制，通常指哭出来的情况。

Perder el control de las emociones, a menudo llorando.

感情のコントロールを失うこと。多くの場合、泣いてしまう状況を指す。

감정을 주체하지 못하고 무너지는 것을 의미하며, 주로 울음을 동반한다.

Base verb: break

Particle: down

Separable: No — the verb and particle stay together

She broke down in tears.
她哭了起来
Se derrumbó en lágrimas
彼女は泣き崩れた
그녀는 울음을 터뜨렸어.
He broke down when he heard the news.
他听到消息后情绪崩溃了
Se vino abajo cuando oyó la noticia
彼はその知らせを聞いて崩れ落ちた
그는 그 소식을 듣고 무너졌어.
I nearly broke down.
我差点崩溃了
Casi me derrumbé
私は泣きそうになった
나는 거의 울 뻔했어.

Context: emotions, crying, grief

Tone: sympathetic

From emotional structure breaking.

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal