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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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