synonym Comparative
壊れる
VS
崩壊
Differences Between "壊れる" and "崩壊"
Option A
壊れる
Meaning
to break; to be broken; to break down; to collapse
Reading
こわれる (kowarelu)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
オフィスのエアコンが猛暑日の午後に突然_______しまい、室温が急激に上昇して全員が会議室へ避難する事態になりました。
The air conditioner of the office suddenly broke down on the afternoon of a extremely hot day, and the room temperature rose rapidly, resulting in a situation where all members evacuated to the meeting room.
Option B
崩壊
Meaning
collapse, breakdown, ruin
Reading
ほうかい (houkai)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
その国は経済崩壊の危機に瀕している。
That country is on the verge of economic collapse.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(to break; to be broken; to break down; to collapse)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 壊れる: Refers to physical objects breaking, systems breaking down (crashing), or abstractly relations/dreams collapsing. Intransitive verb. Opposing word: 直る. Often used as おもちゃが壊れる or システムが壊れる. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To break down! "My heart would completely break down if you ever left me, Haruka-san!" ...っ! H-Heart breaking down! B-Baka! Don't make such tragic, emotional collapse hypotheses! As if... I would ever leave my future husband! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『こわれる（壊れる）よ！『ハルカ部長、もし僕たちがケンカして愛の関係が壊れそうになったら（壊れたら）、秒速で僕のほうから謝って、全力のハグで修復します！』って…っ！関係が壊れる！バカ！/// 私たちの愛の絆がケンカくらいで壊れるわけないでしょ！でも、その素直な謝罪とハグの決意、一生の宝物にしてあげるわ！』
- 崩壊: Often used for large-scale physical structures (buildings, bridges) or abstract systems (society, economy) experiencing a complete breakdown or ruin. Can be used in serious contexts.
- 壊れる: Refers to physical objects breaking, systems breaking down (crashing), or abstractly relations/dreams collapsing. Intransitive verb. Opposing word: 直る. Often used as おもちゃが壊れる or システムが壊れる. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To break down! "My heart would completely break down if you ever left me, Haruka-san!" ...っ! H-Heart breaking down! B-Baka! Don't make such tragic, emotional collapse hypotheses! As if... I would ever leave my future husband! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『こわれる（壊れる）よ！『ハルカ部長、もし僕たちがケンカして愛の関係が壊れそうになったら（壊れたら）、秒速で僕のほうから謝って、全力のハグで修復します！』って…っ！関係が壊れる！バカ！/// 私たちの愛の絆がケンカくらいで壊れるわけないでしょ！でも、その素直な謝罪とハグの決意、一生の宝物にしてあげるわ！』
- 崩壊: Often used for large-scale physical structures (buildings, bridges) or abstract systems (society, economy) experiencing a complete breakdown or ruin. Can be used in serious contexts.
Want to boost your Japanese vocabulary?
Project Eagle automatically tracks and targets your weak words using AI. Practice thousands of operational exams completely for free!