Translation guide
This guide covers how to express the idea of something physically breaking into pieces, deteriorating, or metaphorically collapsing (plans, relationships, mental state) in Japanese. It is organized by the type of 'falling apart' you want to describe.
Describing objects, structures, or materials that are crumbling, disintegrating, or falling to pieces.
General word for something collapsing, crumbling, or falling apart. Used for buildings, cliffs, piles of things, etc.
Literally 'become scattered/disjointed'. Used when something comes apart into separate pieces, like a machine, toy, or group.
The toy fell apart.
To disassemble or break down into components. Often used for machines or technical contexts.
The engine fell apart.
Describing something that is gradually falling apart due to age, use, or poor condition.
Describes something becoming worn out, tattered, or falling to pieces. Often used for clothes, books, or objects.
This book is falling apart.
My shoes are falling apart.
To decay, rot, or crumble. Used for wood, buildings, or organic matter falling apart over time.
Describes something becoming rickety, loose, or shaky, often used for furniture or machinery that is falling apart.
This chair is falling apart.
Describing plans, schedules, organizations, or systems that are failing or falling apart.
Collapse, breakdown. Used for systems, governments, relationships, or plans falling apart completely.
To fail, go bankrupt, or collapse. Often used for financial plans, businesses, or relationships.
His plan fell apart.
To become a mess, chaotic, or ruined. Used for plans, schedules, or situations falling apart informally.
My schedule fell apart.
Describing personal relationships, families, or teams that are falling apart.
To break. Used for relationships, marriages, or friendships falling apart.
Their relationship fell apart.
To split, divide, or break up. Used for groups, teams, or political parties falling apart.
The team fell apart.
To become awkward, strained, or not smooth. Describes a relationship that is falling apart due to tension.
Lately, my relationship with him is falling apart.
Describing a person who is falling apart emotionally or mentally.
To be mentally or physically beaten down, to be at a loss. Often used when someone is falling apart due to stress or hardship.
I'm falling apart because of work lately.
Literally 'mentally collapse'. Used when someone is falling apart psychologically.
Can also describe a person who is emotionally wrecked or falling apart.
I'm falling apart after the breakup.
The English phrase 'falling apart' is often used metaphorically. Directly translating it word-for-word into Japanese will sound unnatural. Choose the appropriate expression based on the context (physical, mental, relational, etc.).
崩れる (kuzureru) is used for things that crumble or collapse under their own weight or due to structural failure (buildings, cliffs, piles). 壊れる (kowareru) is used for things that break or stop functioning (machines, relationships, bones). For relationships, 壊れる is more common.
The old house is falling apart.
The marriage fell apart.
She fell apart mentally.