Translation guide
How to express the idea of something breaking down, failing, or decomposing in Japanese, depending on whether it's a machine, a system, a person, or a substance.
The car broke down.
The air conditioner is broken.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to break' or 'to be broken'. More general than 故障する, can also be used for non-mechanical items.
The TV broke down.
Literally 'to become not moving'. A descriptive phrase for when something stops working.
The printer stopped working.
To say that a system, plan, relationship, or negotiation has collapsed or broken down.
Strong word for collapse or breakdown of systems, organizations, or structures.
The negotiations broke down.
The system broke down.
Often used for financial collapse, bankruptcy, or the failure of a plan/relationship.
The plan broke down.
To reach a deadlock or impasse; negotiations or talks break down because no progress can be made.
To say that a person has had a mental or emotional breakdown.
A common way to say someone is mentally overwhelmed or having a breakdown. 参る is a humble verb for 'to be defeated/affected'.
He's breaking down mentally from work stress.
Literally 'to get neurosis'. Used for a nervous breakdown, though slightly dated/clinical.
She had a nervous breakdown.
Idiomatic: 'one's heart breaks'. Means to lose spirit or give up mentally.
After failing many times, I broke down mentally.
To say that something is broken down into parts, or to analyze something by breaking it down.
To say that organic material is breaking down or decomposing.
To physically break down a door, wall, or obstacle.
故障する is specifically for mechanical or electronic failure. 壊れる is broader and can be used for any physical breakage, including non-mechanical items like toys or furniture. For machines, both are often interchangeable, but 故障する sounds more technical.
The computer broke down.
English 'mental breakdown' is not directly translated as 精神的な故障. Use phrases like 精神的に参る or ノイローゼになる. 心が折れる is more about losing motivation than a clinical breakdown.
He is having a breakdown.
The discussions broke down.
The food is breaking down (rotting).
壁を壊して部屋を広くした。
They broke down the wall to make the room bigger.