Phrasal Verb: Break down
English Meaning: Go out of order; cease to function; make into smaller parts
Hindi Meaning: खराब होना; छोटे हिस्सों में तोड़ना
Slug: break-down-meaning-usage-examples
The phrasal verb “break down” is commonly used in different contexts, both literal and figurative. It refers to something that stops functioning or becomes inoperable, and can also be used to describe the process of separating something into smaller components.
What Does “Break down” Mean?
“Break down” typically means:
- To go out of order or cease functioning: When a machine, system, or vehicle stops working.
- To make into smaller parts: The process of dividing something into its components.
- To lose emotional control: Referring to a person becoming emotionally overwhelmed or upset.
In Hindi, “break down” translates to “खराब होना” (to stop working) or “छोटे हिस्सों में तोड़ना” (to break into smaller parts).
Hindi Meaning of “Break down”
For Hindi speakers, “break down” can be understood as:
- “खराब होना” – किसी चीज़ का काम करना बंद कर देना या विफल होना।
- “छोटे हिस्सों में तोड़ना” – किसी वस्तु या विचार को छोटे भागों में विभाजित करना।
For example:
- “The car broke down on the way to the office” translates to “कार रास्ते में खराब हो गई।”
- “The teacher broke down the lesson into smaller parts” translates to “शिक्षक ने पाठ को छोटे हिस्सों में तोड़ा।”
How to Use “Break down” in Sentences
Below are five practical examples demonstrating the use of “break down” in different contexts:
Example 1: The engine broke down after just a few miles.
Hindi: इंजन कुछ ही मील बाद खराब हो गया।
Example 2: The scientist broke down the complex problem into simpler tasks.
Hindi: वैज्ञानिक ने जटिल समस्या को सरल कार्यों में तोड़ दिया।
Example 3: She broke down in tears after hearing the bad news.
Hindi: बुरी खबर सुनने के बाद वह आंसुओं में टूट गई।
Example 4: The refrigerator broke down and had to be repaired.
Hindi: रेफ्रिजरेटर खराब हो गया और उसे ठीक करना पड़ा।
Example 5: Let’s break down this project into smaller parts to make it easier to manage.
Hindi: आइए हम इस प्रोजेक्ट को छोटे हिस्सों में तोड़ें ताकि इसे प्रबंधित करना आसान हो।
Common Mistakes When Using “Break down”
Incorrect: “The car broke up during the trip.”
Correct: “The car broke down during the trip.”
Incorrect: “She broke down the idea in pieces.” Correct: “She broke down the idea into pieces.”
Questions for Test
- What does the phrasal verb “break down” mean when a machine stops working?
- How would you use “break down” in a sentence about dividing a project into smaller tasks?
- Translate “The emotional stress made her break down completely” into Hindi.
- What is the difference between “break down” and “fail”?
- Rewrite the sentence “The car stopped working during the trip” using “break down.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can “break down” be used for emotional situations?
Yes, “break down” can also refer to someone losing emotional control or becoming very upset, as in “She broke down in tears.”
How do you know when to use “break down”?
You use “break down” when referring to something that stops working, when dividing something into parts, or when someone is emotionally overwhelmed.
What is the passive form of “break down”?
The passive form is:
Example: “The system was broken down into smaller parts for analysis.”
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