der  Zusammenbruch

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈtsuːzamənˌbʁʊx/

💥 What does "der Zusammenbruch" mean?

Der Zusammenbruch is a masculine noun and generally describes the sudden cessation of a function, structure, or order. It can be used in various contexts:

• Physical Collapse: The falling down of a building, bridge, or other structure. Example: Der Zusammenbruch der alten Fabrikhalle (The collapse of the old factory hall).

• Health Collapse/Breakdown: A sudden severe state of illness or unconsciousness. Often referred to as Kreislaufzusammenbruch (circulatory collapse) or Nervenzusammenbruch (nervous breakdown). Example: Er erlitt nach der Anstrengung einen Zusammenbruch (He suffered a collapse after the exertion).

• Systemic Collapse: The failure of a system, e.g., economically, politically, or socially. Example: Der finanzielle Zusammenbruch der Bank (The financial collapse of the bank). Der Zusammenbruch der Regierung (The collapse of the government).

• Emotional/Mental Breakdown: A state of extreme emotional or psychological distress, often called a Nervenzusammenbruch. Example: Nach dem Verlust ihres Jobs hatte sie einen Nervenzusammenbruch (After losing her job, she had a nervous breakdown).

⚠️ It's important to consider the context to understand the precise meaning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Zusammenbruch

The word "Zusammenbruch" is a noun of masculine gender. The article is der.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der plötzliche Zusammenbruch der Brücke schockierte alle.
   (The sudden collapse of the bridge shocked everyone.)
2. Die Ursachen des Zusammenbruchs werden noch untersucht.
   (The causes of the collapse are still being investigated.)
3. Man konnte dem Zusammenbruch des Systems nicht mehr entgegenwirken.
   (It was no longer possible to counteract the collapse of the system.)
4. Viele fürchteten einen wirtschaftlichen Zusammenbruch.
   (Many feared an economic collapse.)
5. Die wiederholten nervlichen Zusammenbrüche machten ihr zu schaffen.
   (The repeated nervous breakdowns were difficult for her.)

💡 How to use "Zusammenbruch"?

"Zusammenbruch" is often used to describe dramatic, sudden, and negative events where something stops functioning or existing.

• Typical combinations: Nervenzusammenbruch (nervous breakdown), Kreislaufzusammenbruch (circulatory collapse), wirtschaftlicher Zusammenbruch (economic collapse), finanzieller Zusammenbruch (financial collapse), Zusammenbruch des Systems (system collapse), Zusammenbruch der Versorgung (supply collapse).
• Context: Mostly used in serious contexts such as news reports, medical documents, economic analyses, or descriptions of personal crises.
• Distinction from similar words:
  • Einsturz: Refers more specifically to the physical collapse of structures (e.g., Gebäudeeinsturz - building collapse). A Zusammenbruch can also be an Einsturz, but Zusammenbruch is broader and can also apply to systems or health.
  • Kollaps: Very similar to Zusammenbruch, often used synonymously, especially in medical and systemic contexts (Kreislaufkollaps - circulatory collapse).
  • Bankrott/Pleite: Specifically the financial collapse of a company or person (bankruptcy).

🧠 Mnemonics & Memory Aids

1. Article Mnemonic: Imagine a strong man (der Mann) suddenly becoming weak and collapsing. Der strong man has a Zusammenbruch.

2. Meaning Mnemonic: The word is composed of "zusammen" (together) and "Bruch" (break, fracture). Imagine many parts first coming zusammen (together) and then falling apart with a loud Bruch (break). That's the Zusammenbruch (collapse).

Remember: Der tall tower suffers der Zusammenbruch!

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

🚨 Caution: Words like Unterbrechung (interruption) or Pause (pause) describe a temporary stop, not the final failure implied by Zusammenbruch.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Computer einen Zusammenbruch erlitten?
(Why did the computer suffer a collapse/breakdown?)

Weil er zu viele Fenster offen hatte und einen Zug bekam! 😉
(Because it had too many windows open and caught a draft! - A pun: 'Zug bekommen' can mean 'to catch a draft' or colloquially 'to crash/freeze' for computers; 'Fenster' means 'windows' literally and in software.)

📜 Poem about the Word

Mauern wanken, stolz und alt,
(Walls totter, proud and old,)
Ein Beben kommt, es wird sehr kalt.
(A tremor comes, it grows so cold.)
Was fest erschien, nun Risse zeigt,
(What seemed solid, now shows cracks,)
Der Zusammenbruch sich neigt.
(The collapse bows its back.)
Systeme ächzen, sind am Ende,
(Systems groan, are at their end,)
Eine plötzliche, jähe Wende.
(A sudden, abrupt bend.)
Ob Stein, ob Geist, ob Staat, ob Markt,
(Be it stone, or mind, or state, or mart,)
Wenn alles fällt, die Kraft versagt.
(When all falls down, strength departs.)

❓ Riddle

Ich komme plötzlich, oft mit Krach,
(I come suddenly, often with a crash,)
Bring' manches System unter's Dach,
(Bring many a system under the roof [idiom: bring down],)
Ob Börse, Brücke oder dein Gemüt,
(Whether stock market, bridge, or your mood,)
Nach mir ist selten etwas erblüht.
(After me, rarely has anything bloomed.)
Ich bin das Ende, wenn die Kraft entweicht.
(I am the end, when strength escapes.)

Was bin ich? / What am I?

Lösung / Solution: Der Zusammenbruch

🧩 More Information

Word Composition:

The word "Zusammenbruch" is a compound noun, formed from:

• zusammen: preposition/adverb meaning 'together'.
• Bruch: noun (der Bruch) meaning 'break', 'fracture', 'rupture'.

The combination vividly describes how something held together breaks apart.

Cultural Aspects: The term "Zusammenbruch" is often used metaphorically to describe major historical or societal turning points (e.g., der Zusammenbruch des Römischen Reiches - the collapse of the Roman Empire, der Zusammenbruch der Sowjetunion - the collapse of the Soviet Union).