崩溃 bēngkuì to collapse
to collapse; to crumble; to fall apart
How to remember 崩溃: 崩 to rupture + 溃 a flooding river = to collapse.
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How it is used
- To collapse / break down - systems, economies, or a person's psyche - 经济濒临崩溃 (jīngjì bīnlín bēngkuì) the economy is on the verge of collapse.
- Two big uses: literal systemic collapse (系统崩溃, computer crash; 精神崩溃, mental breakdown) and the very popular slang 我崩溃了 (wǒ bēngkuì le) 'I'm losing it / I can't even.'
- Contrast 倒闭 (dǎobì, a business folding) and 倒塌 (dǎotā, a structure toppling); 崩溃 is the systemic or emotional falling-apart.