ataque de la mente
/atake de la mente/from spelling rulesmasculine
The English phrase 'mental breakdown' can be translated into Spanish as ataque de la mente, colapso mental or crisis mental.
Meaning: a nervous breakdown (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ataque de la mente | /atake de la mente/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| colapso mental | /kolabso mental/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| crisis mental | /kɾisis mental/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
These terms are used to describe a nervous breakdown.
Which one should you use?
Colapso mental translates specifically to 'mental collapse', while crisis mental is equivalent to 'mental crisis'. ataque de la mente is a literal translation of 'attack of the mind' and is not a natural way to express 'mental breakdown' in Spanish.
How does it change in a sentence?
Colapso mental is a masculine noun phrase, whereas crisis mental is a feminine noun phrase.
Did you know?
- While colapso mental is a valid term, you might encounter the phrase nervios in casual conversation. If someone says me dieron un ataque de los nervios, they are describing a sudden, intense outburst of anxiety or a breakdown of composure.
- The word crisis in Spanish shares its origins with the Ancient Greek word κρῑ́σῐς, which actually meant 'decision' or 'judgment' rather than a medical emergency.
- Spanish speakers might use the word colapso to describe a traffic jam or a system failure, not just a psychological breakdown.
Examples in context
- Tras años de estrés, mi trabajo me llevó a un colapso mentalAfter years of stress, my job led me to a mental breakdown
Example conversation
Javier and María are talking about work pressure.
- JavierEstoy muy cansado, creo que tendré un ataque de la mente.I am very tired, I think I'll have a mental breakdown.
- MaríaJavier, necesitas tomarte unos días de descanso.Javier, you need to take a few days off.
- JavierTienes razón, ya no puedo más con este trabajo.You're right, I can't take this job anymore.
- MaríaHabla con el jefe antes de que sea tarde.Talk to the boss before it's too late.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mental breakdown” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ataque, colapso, crisis, de, la, mental, mente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
