bang1 kui2崩潰崩溃
Jyutpingbang1 kui2
Yalebāng kúi
Definition
To collapse, break down, or fall to pieces physically, mentally, or structurally under stress.
colloquialemotionhealth
How it's used
Focuses heavily on the emotional state of a person reaching their breaking point rather than just physical destruction. While it can describe systems or structures, it is most frequently used in daily life to describe someone having a mental or emotional meltdown. It carries a sense of finality and total loss of composure.
Examples
They have been under too much pressure lately and have completely broken down.
If things keep going like this, I will really crack up.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe physical objects breaking into pieces, like a cup or a window, as it is reserved for abstract systems or human psychological states. Use 爛 or 碎 instead for physical objects.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
