Spanish Conversation · Level 59
74 words
Spanish word
colapsar
Pronunciation
IPA/kolapˈsaɾ/
Meaning
- verbcollapse
Example
El edificio se colapsó tras el terremoto.
The building collapsed after the earthquake.
More examples
El transporte público colapsó en hora punta.
The collapse of public transport occurred during rush hour.
Core concept
An entire power grid in blackout.
Common phrases
colapsar el transporte público
collapse of public transport
colapsar la circulación
collapse of traffic
colapsar un hospital
collapse of a hospital
Similar words
desplomarse: A person or object suddenly loses support or strength and falls down or slumps.
desmayarse: A person loses consciousness and becomes briefly unresponsive.
fallar: A machine or mechanism stops working or fails to perform its intended function.
derrumbarse: A building or structure breaks apart and falls down as its supports give way.
Definition in Spanish
Señala que un sistema, servicio o proceso deja de funcionar abrupta y completamente.
Word origin
Colapsar derives from Latin collapsus, the past participle of collabi 'fall together' (com- 'together' + labi 'to slip or fall'), and it denotes a sudden total failure of a service or process.
Usage tips
- In contexts like hospitals, transport, or networks, colapsar often implies overload or complete stoppage, whereas localized problems are described with fallar, saturarse, or averiar.