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zusammenbrechen

to collapse, to break down

verb tsoo-ZAM-en-breh-khen Rare

Also means

to have a physical or emotional breakdown

Usage Note

zusammenbrechen is separable and covers both physical collapse (fainting, falling from exhaustion) and emotional breakdown. Both senses are very frequent in everyday German and medical/psychological contexts.

Examples

"Er brach auf dem Trainingsplatz vor Erschöpfung zusammen."

Natural Translation

He collapsed on the training ground from exhaustion.

Literal Translation

He broke on the training ground from exhaustion together.

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