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"Break down" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "estropearse", and "build up" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "desarrollar". Learn more about the difference between "break down" and "build up" below.
break down(
breyk
daun
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
a. estropearse
The hot water heater broke down last night while I was in the shower.Anoche, se estropeó la caldera mientras estaba en la ducha.
b. averiarse
My car broke down in the middle of nowhere, so I had to hitchhike.Se averió el auto en el medio de la nada, así que tuve que hacer dedo.
c. descomponerse (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
The car broke down because the radiator overheated.El carro se descompuso porque el radiador se recalentó.
a. derrumbarse
After working sleeplessly for weeks, he broke down and started screaming at his boss.Después de trabajar sin dormir durante semanas, se derrumbó y empezó a gritarle a su jefe.
b. echarse a llorar
When he realized she had gone for good, he broke down.Cuando se dio cuenta de que ella se había ido para siempre, se echó a llorar.
c. romper a llorar
I can't watch "Bambi" without breaking down.No puedo ver "Bambi" sin romper a llorar.
3. (to fail)
a. fracasar (negotiations)
Talks between the two countries broke down after the attack.Las negociaciones entre los dos países fracasaron tras el atentado.
a. descomponerse
As citric acid breaks down, what substance is released?¿Qué sustancia se libera al descomponerse el ácido cítrico?
A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
5. (to destroy)
a. derribar
The detective obtained a warrant and went to break down the door of the suspect.El detective obtuvo una orden de detención y se dirigió a derribar la puerta del sospechoso.
b. echar abajo
They began to break down the Berlin Wall in 1990.Empezaron a echar abajo el Muro de Berlín en 1990.
a. dividir
It's easier if we break the work down into stages.Es más fácil si dividimos el trabajo en etapas.
7. (figurative) (to overcome)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. vencer (resistance)
How can we break down people's resistance to change?¿Cómo podemos vencer la resistencia de la gente al cambio?
8. (to analyze)
b. descomponer
It can be difficult to break down a complicated sentence.Puede ser difícil descomponer una oración complicada.
a. descomponer
In a hydrolysis reaction, water is used to break down a molecule.En una reacción de hidrólisis, se emplea agua para descomponer una molécula.
build up(
bihld
uhp
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
1. (to develop)
a. desarrollar
Niall is taking boxing classes to build up his biceps.Niall está tomando clases de box para desarrollar sus bíceps.
b. forjarse
Angela spent five years building up her reputation as councillor before she ran for mayor.Ángela estuvo cinco años forjándose una reputación como concejal antes de postularse para alcaldesa.
c. tomar
The rocket built up speed as it escaped the Earth's atmosphere.El cohete tomó velocidad mientras abandonaba la atmósfera de la Tierra.
d. hacerse
Dan built up his hopes only to have them crushed when he found out she was married.Dan se hizo ilusiones y se le vinieron abajo cuando se enteró de que estaba casada.
a. ganar
If you want to take up running, you need to build up stamina gradually.Si quieres empezar a correr, tienes que ganar resistencia en forma gradual.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
It takes time to build up strength after you've had the flu.Recuperar la fuerza lleva tiempo después de una gripe.
Running every morning and swimming every afternoon is helping her to build up her strength.Correr cada mañana y nadar cada tarde la está ayudando a fortalecerse.
An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
a. acumularse
Thanks to the construction project next door, the dust builds up really quickly around here.Debido a la obra en construcción de al lado, el polvo se acumula muy rápido por aquí.
a. aumentar
The pressure built up until the boiler finally burst.La presión aumentó hasta que la caldera finalmente estalló.
b. acumularse
Our credit card debt built up when my husband was unemployed.Las deudas con las tarjetas de crédito se nos fueron acumulando cuando mi marido estaba desempleado.
c. intensificarse
The traffic is building up because many streets are blocked.El tránsito se está intensificando porque hay muchas calles cerradas.
