phrasal verb · B2 · Often · both

break down

ломаться

Meaning of break down

stop functioning

Learn break down with free cards in 30 seconds.

Check vocabulary level

10 minutes a day can add up to 3,000 words a year. Spaced flashcards bring each word back when it is time to remember it.

Free flashcards·10,000+ words in the database·scheduled reviews
How important is this word
B2Often

Useful for a confident vocabulary.

Pronunciation
EN-UK/tə ˈbreɪk daʊn/
EN-US/tə ˈbreɪk daʊn/
break down
break down - ломаться
free flashcards
Learn for freeLearn 7 words from "On the Road"
Active review

How many words can you learn in a year?

If you learn 8-10 new words a day and review them regularly with flashcards, you can cover about 3,000 words in a year.

ZapomniEnglish brings words back at the right time: difficult words appear more often, familiar words less often.

Not sure what pace to start with? Check your vocabulary level and we will suggest words for your level.

We count words you add to learning and review regularly. Active use grows gradually and depends on practice.

How many words you can add to active review
PacePer dayPer yearBest for
Easy3 words≈ 1,100 wordsstarting without pressure
Balanced5 words≈ 1,800 wordssteady growth
Recommended8 words≈ 2,900 wordsaround 3,000 words a year
Fast10 words≈ 3,650 wordsvisible vocabulary growth
Intensive15 words≈ 5,500 wordsstrong motivation

break down with Russian translation

break down usage examples

🇨🇳ZH🇬🇧EN

Our car began to break down on the highway, so we had to call for a tow.

🇨🇳ZH🇬🇧EN

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出故障
shower淋浴
elevator电梯
towel毛巾
TV电视
view景色
breakfast早餐

break down synonyms

Related words worth learning together

stop working
Plain and descriptive phrase meaning cease to function; often used for machines, devices, systems, or processes.
break
Can mean become damaged or cease to function; more general than 'break down' and may imply physical damage.
crash
Sudden and often total failure, especially of computers or systems; for vehicles it can mean collision as well.
malfunction
More formal/technical term for failing to function properly; used for machines, devices, organs, or systems.
fail
General verb meaning not to succeed or to cease to work; very broad and can be applied to devices, plans, people, or systems.
Learn 5 related words for free
🇬🇧en

Plain and descriptive phrase meaning cease to function; often used for machines, devices, systems, or processes.

B2Very Often

The heater stopped working last night.

B
🇬🇧en
break

Can mean become damaged or cease to function; more general than 'break down' and may imply physical damage.

B2Often

The radio broke after I dropped it.

🇬🇧en

Sudden and often total failure, especially of computers or systems; for vehicles it can mean collision as well.

B2Very Often

The program crashed and I lost my work.

M
🇬🇧en
malfunction

More formal/technical term for failing to function properly; used for machines, devices, organs, or systems.

B2Often

The machine malfunctioned during the test.

🇬🇧en

General verb meaning not to succeed or to cease to work; very broad and can be applied to devices, plans, people, or systems.

B2Very Often

The engine failed and we had to stop.

G
🇬🇧en
give out

Informal phrasal verb meaning to stop functioning, break, or come to an end (also 'distribute' in other contexts); often used for parts or resources.

B2Often

After hours of driving, the car's alternator gave out.

C
🇬🇧en
conk out

Informal phrasal verb meaning to stop working suddenly (often used for engines or devices); colloquial.

B2Rarely

The mower conked out halfway through the lawn.

S
🇬🇧en
seize up

Usually means to lock or jam so that parts cannot move; used for engines, joints, or mechanisms.

B2Often

The gearbox seized up and the car wouldn't move.

F
🇬🇧en
fall apart

Often implies physical disintegration or coming apart into pieces; can be used metaphorically (plans, relationships). Less used for mechanical failure that is fixable.

B2Often

The old chair is falling apart.

G
🇬🇧en
go wrong

General phrase meaning something fails or does not work as intended; very flexible and used for events, devices, or plans.

B2Very Often

Something went wrong with the heating system.

S
🇬🇧en
stall

Often used for engines that stop running temporarily (e.g., at idle); can also mean to stop progressing or be delayed.

B2Often

The car stalled at the traffic lights.

What’s the difference

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.

Audio practiceExamplesSmart repeats

Learn break down in your vocabulary

Add this word to practice, repeat it with audio, examples and your own word lists.