Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| desabar | /de.zaˈba(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /d͡ʒi.zaˈba(ʁ)/ (Brazil) |
| ruir | /ʁuˈi(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /ˈʁwi(ʁ)/ (Brazil) |
| desmoronar | /dez.mo.ɾoˈna(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /d͡ʒiz.mo.ɾoˈna(ʁ)/ (Brazil) |
| colapsar-se |
The phrase is used to describe the act of falling down suddenly or caving in.
Which one should you use?
While all these forms relate to collapsing, they are used in different contexts. desmoronar specifically implies a crumbling or disintegrating motion, often used for soil, walls or mountainsides. In contrast, ruir is frequently used metaphorically to describe the collapse of abstract things like hopes, dreams or reputations.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When you need to describe the process of crumbling or caving in as a noun, use desmoronamento. For systemic or medical collapses, such as 'colapso cardíaco' (cardiac collapse), use the noun colapso.
How do you pronounce it?
The word desabar has three syllables, with the stress on the third syllable. The IPA is /de.zaˈba(ʁ)/.
Did you know?
- The verb desabar is often used colloquially to describe someone bursting into tears, as in desabar em lágrimas.
- The word ruir comes from the Latin 'ruere', which is the same root found in the English word 'ruin'.
- The verb desabar is sometimes used in Portuguese literature to describe the sudden arrival of a feeling or a heavy silence, rather than a physical object.
Examples in context
- A torre vai desabar.The tower is going to collapse.This sentence is useful for seeing how to say a tower is going to collapse using desabar.Tatoeba #1211714 by alexmarcelo, translation #44767 by CK
- A casa corre o risco de desabar.The house is in danger of collapse.This sentence shows how to express that a house is in danger of collapse using desabar.Tatoeba #11549416 by Advanced, translation #9152670 by Hybrid
- A casa está prestes a desmoronar.The house is about to collapse.This sentence demonstrates how to say a house is about to collapse using desmoronar.Tatoeba #6475958 by heo598, translation #6475510 by Selena777
- O prédio sofreu um colapso estrutural devido a problemas na fundação.The building suffered a structural collapse due to foundation issues.
- A economia do país está à beira de um colapso financeiro.The country's economy is on the brink of a financial collapse.
- O muro desmoronou durante a tempestade ontem à noite.The wall collapsed during last night's storm.
- O prédio antigo desabou após o terremoto.The old building collapsed after the earthquake.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felipe and Mariana are walking past a building damaged by a storm.
- FelipeOlhe aquele muro! Ele vai desabar.Look at that wall! It is going to collapse.
- MarianaNossa, é verdade. Vamos nos afastar.Wow, it is true. Let's move away.
- FelipeEu acho que o teto também pode desabar.I think the roof could collapse too.
- MarianaVocê tem razão, Mariana. Vamos sair daqui.You are right, Felipe. Let's get out of here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “collapse” translations and entries desabar, ruir, desmoronar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries desabar, desmoronar, ruir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
