break down

Phrasal Verb BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

Meaning: To stop working (of machines)

抛锚、出故障
Averiarse, estropearse
故障する、壊れる
고장 나다, 작동을 멈추다

When a machine or system stops functioning.

机器或系统停止运作。
Cuando una máquina o sistema deja de funcionar.
機械やシステムが動かなくなること。
기계나 시스템이 작동을 멈추는 것을 의미한다.
Base verb: break
Particle: down
Separable: No — the verb and particle stay together

Examples

  1. My car broke down on the highway.
    我的车在高速公路上抛锚了。
    Mi coche se averió en la autopista.
    高速道路で車が故障した。
    고속도로에서 차가 고장 났다.
  2. The printer keeps breaking down.
    打印机老是出故障。
    La impresora no para de estropearse.
    プリンターがしょっちゅう壊れる。
    프린터가 자꾸 고장 난다.
  3. The negotiations broke down.
    谈判破裂了。
    Las negociaciones se rompieron.
    交渉が決裂した。
    협상이 결렬되었다.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: mechanical failure

Tone: frustrated

✓ Do Say

  • It broke down
    坏了
    Se averió
    故障した
    고장 났어

Origin & History

From something ceasing to function.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

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