Inklingo

How to Say "breakdown" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “breakdown” is “colapso” — use 'colapso' when referring to the failure or sudden stoppage of a system, organization, or process, like traffic or a machine.

English → Spanish

colapso

ko-LAP-sokoˈlapso

nounB1general
Use 'colapso' when referring to the failure or sudden stoppage of a system, organization, or process, like traffic or a machine.
A wooden bridge with broken planks and a sagging middle section.

Examples

Hubo un colapso total del tráfico en el centro.

There was a total traffic jam in the center.

El sistema de salud está al borde del colapso.

The healthcare system is on the verge of collapse.

La burbuja inmobiliaria provocó un colapso económico.

The housing bubble caused an economic crash.

Always Masculine

This word is always masculine. You should always use 'el' or 'un' with it, regardless of what is collapsing.

Don't confuse with the verb

Mistake: “El tráfico colapso.”

Correction: El tráfico colapsó (verb) or Hubo un colapso (noun).

crisis

KREE-sisˈkɾi.sis

nounB1general
Choose 'crisis' to describe a difficult or dangerous period or situation, especially one involving a lot of stress, often referring to emotional, mental, or economic states.
A person stands at a fork in the road, where the path splits into two distinct directions, symbolizing a turning point or major decision.

Examples

El país está atravesando una crisis económica muy profunda.

The country is going through a very deep economic crisis.

Mi hermana tuvo una crisis de ansiedad antes de su examen.

My sister had an anxiety attack (crisis) before her exam.

Necesitamos nuevas ideas para salir de esta crisis.

We need new ideas to get out of this crisis.

Gender Rule

Even though 'crisis' ends in '-s', it is a feminine noun, so you must always use 'la' or 'una' before it.

Plural Form Error

Mistake: “Las crisises”

Correction: Las crisis. This noun is special because the plural form is exactly the same as the singular. Only the article ('la' or 'las') changes.

descomposición

nounB2general
Use 'descomposición' when you are analyzing the parts of a whole or the process of decay, such as in science or mathematics.

Examples

Vimos la descomposición de la luz a través de un prisma.

We saw the breakdown of light through a prism.

degradación

nounB2general
Opt for 'degradación' when referring to the process of deterioration or damage, particularly in environmental or physical contexts like soil or quality.

Examples

La degradación del suelo afecta a los agricultores de la región.

Soil degradation affects the farmers in the region.

System Failure vs. Difficult Period

Learners often confuse 'colapso' (system failure) with 'crisis' (difficult period). Remember that a 'colapso' is when something stops working, while a 'crisis' is a challenging situation or state.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.