Translation guide
The English word "collapse" covers physical falling down, structural failure, medical loss of consciousness, and figurative breakdown. Japanese uses different words for each context.
When a person suddenly falls to the ground, often due to illness, exhaustion, or injury.
General term for a person falling down, often from fainting, exhaustion, or being knocked over. Intransitive.
He collapsed from exhaustion.
Someone suddenly collapsed at the station.
To faint or lose consciousness suddenly. More specific than 倒れる.
She collapsed upon hearing the news.
To crumble and fall, used for a person collapsing in a heap, often dramatically.
He collapsed on the spot.
When a man-made structure falls down or gives way.
Collapse of a structure, system, or society. Implies breaking apart and falling down.
Many buildings collapsed in the earthquake.
The bridge suddenly collapsed.
Specifically for buildings or structures falling over or collapsing, often due to external force like earthquakes.
The old house collapsed.
To cave in or sink, used for ground, roads, or ceilings collapsing inward.
The road collapsed, creating a large hole.
When someone faints or loses consciousness due to a medical condition.
When a system, organization, or plan fails completely.
Used for systems, economies, governments, or relationships breaking down.
The economy collapsed.
His plan completely collapsed.
To go bankrupt; to fail; to collapse (of a system, plan, or relationship). Often used for financial or organizational failure.
The company collapsed.
To fall apart; to collapse (of an organization or system). Literally 'roof tile breaking', implies complete disintegration.
The administration collapsed.
To fold something into a compact form.
When a hollow organ or container loses air/contents and flattens.
倒れる is for people or upright objects falling over. 崩壊する is for structures or systems breaking apart and falling down. Do not use 倒れる for buildings unless they tip over intact.
Do not use 崩壊する for a person fainting. It sounds like they crumbled into pieces. Use 倒れる or 失神する instead.
He collapsed on the floor.
The roof collapsed under the weight of the snow.
The peace talks collapsed.
She collapsed from the heat.
交渉が破綻した。
The negotiations collapsed.
He collapsed the umbrella.
The balloon collapsed.