Spanish Conversation · Level 123
60 words
Spanish word
desplomar
Pronunciation
IPA/desploˈmaɾ/
Meaning
- verbcollapse
Example
El edificio se desplomó durante el terremoto.
The building collapsed during the earthquake.
More examples
De repente, se desplomó en la calle.
Suddenly, he collapsed in the street.
Core concept
A multi-story building collapsing and tumbling down.
Common phrases
desplomarse en el suelo
collapse to the ground
desplomarse por agotamiento
collapse from exhaustion
desplomarse sin previo aviso
collapse without warning
Similar words
caer: Drops from a height or loses position, moving downward.
colapsar: Undergoes structural or functional failure due to overload.
desmoronarse: Breaks up into loose fragments or powdery pieces.
derribar: Knocks down or brings down by force.
Definition in Spanish
Perder de manera repentina y violenta la estabilidad o la altura; también emplearse para descensos bruscos de valores o precios.
Word origin
The verb comes from prefix des- plus plomar (from plomo 'lead', Latin plumbum), the image of being weighed down by lead developing into a sudden fall or collapse.
Usage tips
- Often used reflexively as se desplomó in news to describe sudden collapses of buildings, markets, or people fainting, and contrasts with bajar or disminuir for slower, gradual decreases.
Other meanings
- fall oververb
- plummetverb
Opposites
- recuperarserecoververb
- levantarseget upverb
Related words
- desplomecollapsenoun
- desplomadocollapsedadjective