Definitions

(verb) to collapse; to cave in
(verb) to droop; to sag
(verb) to settle down

Etymology phono-semantic

earth

Semantic:

About

The character 塌 is a phono-semantic compound. The left-side radical 土 (tǔ), meaning earth, anchors its semantics to concepts of ground and physical foundations. The right-side component, composed of 曰 (yuē) and 羊 (yáng), provides the phonetic element. Its primary meaning is to collapse, cave in, or crumble, as when a building loses structural support or earth gives way. This sense extends metaphorically to describe a sudden drop in mood or a completely ruined situation.

Example Sentences Hide

那堵墙了。

Nà dǔ qiáng tā le.

That wall collapsed.

地震后房屋倒了。

Dìzhèn hòu fángwū dǎotāle.

After the earthquake, the houses collapsed.

山坡方阻断了道路。

Shānpō tāfāng zǔduànle dàolù.

The landslide on the hillside blocked the road.

矿井陷造成多人伤亡。

Kuàngjǐng tāxiàn zàochéng duō rén shāngwáng.

The mine collapse caused many casualties.

他的计划彻底台了。

Tā de jìhuà chèdǐ tātáile.

His plan completely collapsed.

持续大雨导致河岸陷。

Chíxù dàyǔ dǎozhì hé'àn tāxiàn.

Continuous heavy rain caused the riverbank to collapse.

经济泡沫破裂后市场缩。

Jīngjì pàomò pòliè hòu shìchǎng tāsuō.

After the economic bubble burst, the market collapsed.

由于施工不当,那座新建的大楼突然陷,造成了严重损失。

Yóuyú shīgōng bùdàng, nà zuò xīnjiàn de dàlóu túrán tāxiàn, zàochéngle yánzhòng sǔnshī.

Due to improper construction, that newly built building suddenly collapsed, causing serious losses.