Translation and Meaning of: 崩壊 - houkai

The Japanese word 「崩壊」 (houkai) is built from two kanji characters: 「崩」 and 「壊». The kanji 「崩」 means "to collapse" or "to disintegrate", while 「壊」 carries the meaning of "to break" or "to destroy". Together, these ideas form the concept of "collapse" or "disintegration", reflecting the loss of structure or integrity of something that was previously stable. This combination well illustrates the fragmentary nature of the word, referring to events or situations where a sudden and dramatic break occurs.

Etymologically, 「崩」 is composed of the radicals 山 (mountain) and 朋 (friend), while 「壊」 combines the radical 土 (earth) and 殳 (spear), suggesting an attack. These visual and symbolic combinations of the radicals reflect the devastating force of a collapse, whether physical, social, political, or economic. Thus, 「崩壊」 also applies to the crumbling of institutions, systems, or ideals, giving the word a rather versatile and profound application in the Japanese context.

The use of the word 「崩壊」 extends to various fields of knowledge and everyday life. In the realm of science, for example, it can refer to natural disasters, such as the collapse of a mountain or landslides. In a social or economic context, it is used to describe the collapse of financial systems or social structures. However, beyond its technical use, 「崩壊」 also carries an emotional and dramatic tone, often employed in literature, cinema, and music to convey a sense of loss and abrupt, irreversible transformation.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 崩れる (kuzureru) - collapse, fall apart
• 壊れる (kowareru) - break, shatter
• 崩れ落ちる (kuzureochiru) - to fall into collapse, to completely collapse
• 崩れること (kuzureru koto) - the act of crumbling
• 崩壊する (hōkai suru) - to collapse
• 崩壊状態 (hōkai jōtai) - state of collapse
• 崩壊した (hōkai shita) - collapsed, that collapsed
• 崩壊すること (hōkai suru koto) - the act of collapsing
• 崩壊の (hōkai no) - of collapse
• 崩壊の危機 (hōkai no kiki) - collapse crisis
• 崩壊の兆候 (hōkai no chōkou) - signs of collapse
• 崩壊の始まり (hōkai no hajimari) - beginning of the collapse
• 崩壊の前兆 (hōkai no zenchō) - pre-signs of collapse
• 崩壊の影響 (hōkai no eikyō) - impact of the collapse
• 崩壊の恐れ (hōkai no osore) - fear of collapse
• 崩壊の可能性 (hōkai no kanōsei) - possibility of collapse
• 崩壊の危険 (hōkai no kiken) - collapse risk
• 崩壊の危険性 (hōkai no kiken-sei) - risk of collapse
• 崩壊の原因 (hōkai no gen'in) - cause of collapse
• 崩壊の進行 (hōkai no shinkō) - progress of the collapse
• 崩壊の予兆 (hōkai no yochō) - sign that the collapse may occur

崩壊

Romaji: houkai
Kana: ほうかい
Type: Noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: collapse; decay (physics); crumbling; breaking; slave in

Meaning in English: collapse;decay (physics);crumbling;breaking down;caving in

Definition: something that breaks and collapses. The collapse of a substance or structure.

Example Sentences - (崩壊) houkai

See below some example sentences:

崩壊した建物が道路を塞いでいる。

Houkai shita tatemono ga douro wo fusai de iru

A ruined building is blocking the road.

The collapsed building is blocking the road.

• 崩壊した - Collapsed, crumbled
• 建物 - building, construction
• が - subject particle
• 道路 - road, street
• を - direct object particle
• 塞いでいる - blocking, obstructing