Definition

1. Verb:
   • To collapse: To fall down or give way suddenly, typically due to structural failure, weakness, or external force. It implies a breaking and a subsequent falling.
   • To fall in: To cave in or break apart, resulting in a fallen state. Often used for structures, trees, or rigid objects.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cây cổ thụ đã gãy đổ trong cơn bão. (The ancient tree collapsed in the storm.)
  • Cây cầu cũ có nguy cơ gãy đổ bất cứ lúc nào. (The old bridge is at risk of collapsing at any moment.)
  • Hàng rào gãy đổ vì một cú va chạm mạnh. (The fence fell in due to a strong impact.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "gãy đổ" often conveys a sense of complete, irreversible failure or destruction. It is not used for soft or flexible objects that simply fall over without breaking.

Variants and Related Words

• Gãy (v): to break, to snap. Refers specifically to the breaking action, not necessarily the subsequent fall.
  • Cành cây bị gãy. (The tree branch snapped.)
• Đổ (v): to fall, to topple, to pour. Can refer to falling without the necessary implication of breaking.
  • Tượng đổ xuống sàn. (The statue toppled to the floor.)

Synonyms

• Collapse: To fall down or in suddenly.
• Cave in: To collapse inward.
• Give way: To break under pressure and fall.

Related Idioms

• Gãy đổ tan hoang: To collapse into complete ruin or devastation.
  • Sau trận động đất, nhiều tòa nhà gãy đổ tan hoang. (After the earthquake, many buildings collapsed into complete ruin.)

verb

1. to collapse; to fall in