break down
ломаться
stop functioning
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| Pace | Per day | Per year | Best for |
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| Easy | 3 words | ≈ 1,100 words | starting without pressure |
| Balanced | 5 words | ≈ 1,800 words | steady growth |
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| Fast | 10 words | ≈ 3,650 words | visible vocabulary growth |
| Intensive | 15 words | ≈ 5,500 words | strong motivation |
break down with Russian translation
break down usage examples
Our car began to break down on the highway, so we had to call for a tow.
If you ignore the strange noises, the old fridge may break down next week.
Learn by topic
break down belongs to the topic "On the Road". Start with a short 7-word set so the word is easier to remember in context.
break down synonyms
Related words worth learning together
Plain and descriptive phrase meaning cease to function; often used for machines, devices, systems, or processes.
The heater stopped working last night.
Can mean become damaged or cease to function; more general than 'break down' and may imply physical damage.
The radio broke after I dropped it.
Sudden and often total failure, especially of computers or systems; for vehicles it can mean collision as well.
The program crashed and I lost my work.
More formal/technical term for failing to function properly; used for machines, devices, organs, or systems.
The machine malfunctioned during the test.
General verb meaning not to succeed or to cease to work; very broad and can be applied to devices, plans, people, or systems.
The engine failed and we had to stop.
Informal phrasal verb meaning to stop functioning, break, or come to an end (also 'distribute' in other contexts); often used for parts or resources.
After hours of driving, the car's alternator gave out.
Informal phrasal verb meaning to stop working suddenly (often used for engines or devices); colloquial.
The mower conked out halfway through the lawn.
Usually means to lock or jam so that parts cannot move; used for engines, joints, or mechanisms.
The gearbox seized up and the car wouldn't move.
Often implies physical disintegration or coming apart into pieces; can be used metaphorically (plans, relationships). Less used for mechanical failure that is fixable.
The old chair is falling apart.
General phrase meaning something fails or does not work as intended; very flexible and used for events, devices, or plans.
Something went wrong with the heating system.
Often used for engines that stop running temporarily (e.g., at idle); can also mean to stop progressing or be delayed.
The car stalled at the traffic lights.
What’s the difference
How is break down different from related words?
Short comparisons help you choose the right word by meaning, context, and typical examples.

В чем разница в английском между carry, wear, tote и lug
Carry — нести или иметь при себе, wear — носить на теле, tote — таскать с собой, lug — тащить тяжёлое с усилием.

В чем разница в английском между whole, entire, complete и intact
Разница между whole, entire, complete и intact: целое, весь объем, завершенность и сохранность без повреждений.

В чем разница в английском между choose, pick, select и opt for
Разница между choose, pick, select и opt for: обычный выбор, разговорный выбор, выбор из списка и осознанное предпочтение.
Related words and lists for break down
Questions about this word
break down meaning: what does it mean?
stop functioning
break down pronunciation: how do you pronounce it?
break down is pronounced as /tə ˈbreɪk daʊn/. Audio is available on this page when the word has a recording.
break down definition and sentence examples: how is it used in a sentence?
Our car began to break down on the highway, so we had to call for a tow. Translation: Наша машина начала сломалась на шоссе, поэтому нам пришлось вызвать эвакуатор.
Is break down part of Climate and Ecology vocabulary?
Yes, break down (ломаться) can be learned in the Climate and Ecology topic. This semantic link helps build related word lists and topic-based practice.
Is break down part of Household Appliances vocabulary?
Yes, break down (ломаться) can be learned in the Household Appliances topic. This semantic link helps build related word lists and topic-based practice.
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