崩壊 — meaning in English: Collapse

houkai · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for collapse

崩壊

houkai

農場

nōjō

週末

shūmatsu

仮説

kasetsu

驚き

odoroki

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neutral common

Usage

Native speakers commonly use the word 崩壊 (houkai) in contexts discussing structural failures, such as the collapse of buildings or bridges during natural disasters. Additionally, it is often used metaphorically in discussions about societal or economic breakdowns, such as the collapse of a company or a governmental system.

Synonyms & nuances

While 崩壊 (houkai) implies a sudden collapse, another similar word, 破壊 (hakai), means 'destruction' and can refer to both gradual and sudden acts of breaking down. You would choose houkai when focusing on a structural or societal collapse, while hakai might be used in a broader, more destructive context.

Culture

The word 崩壊 (houkai) is composed of two kanji: '崩', meaning 'to crumble' or 'to fall apart', and '壊', meaning 'to break' or 'to destroy'. This term has been significantly used in Japanese media, especially in the aftermath of natural disasters like earthquakes, emphasizing the real and immediate consequences of structural failures in a country prone to seismic activity.

FAQ

Q.What does the word 崩壊 (houkai) mean?

崩壊 (houkai) translates to 'collapse' in English. It is used to describe both physical structures failing and metaphorical situations where systems or organizations fall apart.

Q.How do you use 崩壊 in a sentence?

You can use 崩壊 (houkai) in sentences like 'この建物は地震で崩壊した' (kono tatemono wa jishin de houkai shita), which means 'This building collapsed due to the earthquake.'

Q.Are there any common mistakes with this word?

A common mistake is using 崩壊 (houkai) when discussing gradual deterioration, where terms like 劣化 (rekka), meaning 'deterioration', would be more appropriate. Ensure you use houkai for sudden, complete collapses.

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