crollo en 30 secondes
- Crollo is a masculine noun meaning a sudden failure, collapse, or crash of a physical or abstract system.
- It is used for buildings falling, stock markets crashing, and people having nervous breakdowns or exhaustion.
- Commonly paired with adjectives like 'improvviso' (sudden) or 'totale' (total) to emphasize the event's severity.
- Distinguish it from 'caduta', which is a general fall, whereas 'crollo' implies a catastrophic or structural failure.
The Italian noun crollo is a powerful and evocative word that primarily denotes a sudden, often violent, failure or collapse. At its most literal level, it describes the physical disintegration of a structure, such as a building, a bridge, or a wall, under the weight of pressure, gravity, or structural weakness. When you hear the word in a news report regarding an earthquake or a construction accident, it carries the weight of physical destruction. However, the true versatility of crollo lies in its metaphorical applications, which are ubiquitous in modern Italian discourse. It is the standard term used to describe a sharp and rapid decline in financial markets—the 'stock market crash' is translated as il crollo della borsa. Beyond the cold world of finance, it penetrates the intimate sphere of human psychology. A 'nervous breakdown' or a moment of total emotional exhaustion is frequently referred to as a crollo emotivo or crollo psicologico. This suggests a state where a person's mental defenses or stamina have completely given way, much like a physical wall would. Furthermore, it is used in political and social contexts to describe the sudden downfall of a regime, a government, or even a system of values. The fall of the Berlin Wall is famously known as il crollo del Muro di Berlino. In daily conversation, you might use it to describe a sudden drop in temperature (crollo delle temperature) or a sudden loss of physical energy after a long day of work.
- Physical Failure
- The total disintegration of an object or structure, often unexpected and catastrophic in nature.
- Economic Context
- A rapid and significant decrease in value, prices, or market indices, typically causing panic or crisis.
- Psychological State
- A state of total mental or physical exhaustion where an individual can no longer function or cope with stress.
Gli ingegneri stanno indagando sulle cause del crollo improvviso del vecchio ponte.
Il crollo dei prezzi del petrolio ha scosso l'economia globale questa settimana.
Dopo mesi di stress lavorativo, Maria ha avuto un crollo nervoso.
Tutti ricordano il crollo dell'Unione Sovietica come un evento epocale.
Il crollo verticale delle temperature ha portato la neve in pianura.
Using crollo correctly requires understanding its role as a noun that describes a finished event or a state of being. It is frequently paired with verbs of movement or causation. For instance, you might say causare un crollo (to cause a collapse) or assistere a un crollo (to witness a collapse). Because it represents a sudden shift, it is often modified by adjectives that emphasize speed or severity, such as improvviso (sudden), verticale (vertical/steep), inevitabile (inevitable), or totale (total). In a sentence, it often functions as the subject when describing market trends: Il crollo della domanda ha abbassato i prezzi (The collapse in demand lowered prices). It can also function as the object of a preposition, particularly in expressions of time or cause: Dopo il crollo dell'impero... (After the collapse of the empire...). When talking about people, it is common to use the verb avere (to have) or subire (to suffer/undergo). For example, L'atleta ha subito un crollo fisico negli ultimi metri della gara (The athlete suffered a physical breakdown in the last meters of the race). This suggests that the collapse was an event that happened to them. In more formal or journalistic writing, you might see crollo used to describe statistical data, such as a crollo delle nascite (a collapse/sharp drop in birth rates), highlighting a demographic crisis. Understanding the nuances of these pairings allows a learner to move beyond simple descriptions and into more complex socioeconomic and psychological observations.
- With Causative Verbs
- Use verbs like 'provocare', 'determinare', or 'causare' to show what led to the failure.
- With Adjectives of Intensity
- Terms like 'rovinoso' (ruinous) or 'drastico' (drastic) help quantify the severity of the crollo.
- In Prepositional Phrases
- 'A causa di un crollo' or 'In seguito al crollo' are standard ways to link the collapse to its consequences.
Il crollo delle vendite ha costretto l'azienda a chiudere tre filiali.
Nessuno si aspettava un crollo così rapido del consenso politico.
Il crollo di un cornicione ha spaventato i passanti in centro.
If you turn on an Italian news channel like TG1 or Sky TG24, you are almost guaranteed to hear the word crollo within the first fifteen minutes. It is a staple of financial journalism, used to describe the fluctuating fortunes of the FTSE MIB (the Italian stock exchange index). Headlines like 'Crollo in borsa per i titoli tecnologici' are standard. In the realm of weather reporting, meteorologists use it to describe the arrival of cold fronts: 'Previsto un crollo termico nel fine settimana'. You will also encounter it in historical documentaries discussing the end of civilizations or specific historical turning points, such as the fall of the Roman Empire (il crollo dell'Impero Romano). In everyday life, Italians use it more colloquially to describe their own state of exhaustion. After a particularly grueling week at work, an Italian might say, 'Sono al limite, sento che sto per avere un crollo'. It is also common in sports commentary, describing a team that was winning but suddenly lost its lead and lost the game due to a 'mental collapse'. In literature and cinema, the word is often used to symbolize the internal disintegration of a character's sanity or moral compass. For example, a noir film might focus on the crollo morale of a protagonist who becomes corrupt. Finally, in architectural and urban planning discussions, it is a technical term used to describe the structural failure of aging infrastructure, a topic of significant public debate in Italy following events like the Morandi Bridge collapse in Genoa.
- Television News
- Frequent in financial, weather, and disaster reporting.
- Academic History
- Used to describe the end of dynasties, empires, and political systems.
- Daily Conversations
- Hyperbolic use to describe tiredness or a bad day.
Il telegiornale ha aperto con la notizia del crollo di una palazzina in periferia.
Gli analisti temono un crollo dei consumi durante le festività.
One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using crollo is confusing it with the word caduta (fall). While both involve something going down, caduta is more general and often refers to a simple loss of balance or a controlled descent (like a 'fall' from a bike or the 'fall' of autumn leaves). Crollo, by contrast, implies a structural failure or a catastrophic breakdown. You wouldn't say 'il crollo delle foglie' (the collapse of the leaves); you would say 'la caduta delle foglie'. Conversely, saying 'la caduta della borsa' is possible but less impactful than 'il crollo della borsa', which implies a much more severe and sudden crash. Another mistake is using crollo to mean 'failure' in the sense of a project not succeeding. For a failed business venture or an unsuccessful exam, Italians typically use fallimento or insuccesso. Crollo is reserved for when that failure is sudden and involves a total loss of integrity. Additionally, learners sometimes forget that crollo is a noun and try to use it as a verb. Remember: Il crollo è avvenuto (The collapse happened) vs L'edificio è crollato (The building collapsed). Finally, watch out for the prepositional usage. English speakers often want to say 'collapse of' and translate it directly as 'crollo di'. While this is often correct (crollo di un ponte), when referring to a person having a breakdown, Italians often use 'crollo nervoso' (nervous collapse) as a fixed adjective-noun pair rather than 'crollo di nervi'.
- Crollo vs. Caduta
- Crollo is catastrophic/structural; Caduta is a general fall or drop.
- Crollo vs. Fallimento
- Fallimento is the lack of success; Crollo is the sudden breakdown of a system.
Sbagliato: Ho visto il crollo della pioggia. (Wrong: Rain falls, it doesn't collapse).
Corretto: La caduta della pioggia è stata intensa.
To enrich your Italian vocabulary, it is helpful to look at words that share a semantic field with crollo but offer different shades of meaning. One such word is cedimento. While crollo is the final, catastrophic event, cedimento often refers to the initial 'giving way' or 'sagging' of a structure or a person's resolve. It is a more gradual process. For example, un cedimento strutturale might lead to a crollo. Another alternative is rovina (ruin). This word focuses more on the state of being destroyed or the long-term consequence of a collapse. Andare in rovina means to fall into a state of decay. In financial contexts, you might hear crack (borrowed from English but used specifically for financial scandals or massive bankruptcies) or dissesto, which refers to a state of financial instability, particularly in public administration. For emotional contexts, esaurimento (exhaustion/burnout) is a common synonym for a psychological crollo. If you are talking about the fall of a government, caduta is very common, but disfacimento (undoing/dissolution) suggests a more messy and internal process of falling apart. Understanding these distinctions allows you to choose the word that best fits the severity and nature of the 'collapse' you are describing.
- Crollo vs. Cedimento
- Crollo is the final crash; Cedimento is the initial yielding or structural failure.
- Crollo vs. Sfacelo
- Sfacelo implies a total, messy, and often moral or social disintegration.
- Crollo vs. Rovina
- Rovina is the state of being ruined; Crollo is the act of collapsing.
Il cedimento della diga ha causato un'inondazione devastante.
L'impero era ormai in uno stato di totale sfacelo.
How Formal Is It?
Le savais-tu ?
The related word 'scrollare' (to shake) comes from the same root. When you 'shrug' your shoulders in Italian, you 'scrolli le spalle'.
Guide de prononciation
- Pronouncing it like the English 'crawl'.
- Failing to double the 'l' sound, making it sound like 'crolo'.
- Making the final 'o' sound like 'oh' in 'go' (it should be a pure 'o').
Niveau de difficulté
Easy to recognize in news headlines due to context.
Requires knowledge of masculine endings and plural forms.
The double 'l' requires correct Italian pronunciation.
Distinctive sound, usually clear in speech.
Quoi apprendre ensuite
Prérequis
Apprends ensuite
Avancé
Grammaire à connaître
Double Consonants
In 'crollo', the double 'l' is pronounced by holding the 'l' sound longer.
Masculine Nouns in -o
Il crollo (singular), i crolli (plural).
Preposition 'di'
Used to show what is collapsing: 'crollo di un ponte'.
Adjective Agreement
Un crollo improvviso (masculine singular).
Compound Nouns
Rischio-crollo functions as a single unit in headlines.
Exemples par niveau
Il crollo del muro è stato forte.
The collapse of the wall was loud.
Simple subject-verb-adjective structure.
Ho visto un crollo in TV.
I saw a collapse on TV.
Use of the indefinite article 'un'.
Il crollo della torre è triste.
The collapse of the tower is sad.
Genitive construction with 'della' (di + la).
C'è stato un crollo improvviso.
There was a sudden collapse.
Use of 'C'è stato' (There was).
Il crollo fa paura.
The collapse is scary.
Direct object of the feeling 'paura'.
Un piccolo crollo di sassi.
A small collapse of stones.
Noun phrase with 'di'.
Dopo il crollo, tutto è rotto.
After the collapse, everything is broken.
Prepositional phrase with 'Dopo'.
Il crollo della casa vecchia.
The collapse of the old house.
Adjective 'vecchia' modifying 'casa'.
C'è un crollo delle temperature oggi.
There is a drop in temperatures today.
Plural 'temperature' after 'delle'.
Ho avuto un crollo di energie nel pomeriggio.
I had a crash in energy in the afternoon.
Metaphorical use for tiredness.
Il crollo del tetto è stato causato dalla neve.
The collapse of the roof was caused by the snow.
Passive construction 'è stato causato'.
Tutti parlano del crollo del prezzo del pane.
Everyone is talking about the fall in the price of bread.
Verb 'parlare' followed by 'del'.
Il crollo è avvenuto durante la notte.
The collapse happened during the night.
Verb 'avvenire' (to happen).
Non vogliamo un altro crollo economico.
We don't want another economic collapse.
Adjective 'economico' modifying 'crollo'.
Il crollo ha bloccato la strada principale.
The collapse blocked the main road.
Past tense 'ha bloccato'.
Un crollo nervoso può capitare a chiunque.
A nervous breakdown can happen to anyone.
Modal verb 'può' followed by 'capitare'.
Il crollo della borsa ha bruciato miliardi di euro.
The stock market crash burned billions of euros.
Metaphorical verb 'bruciare' (to burn/lose money).
Gli esperti temono un crollo verticale delle nascite.
Experts fear a vertical collapse in births.
Adjective 'verticale' used for emphasis.
Il crollo del regime ha portato alla democrazia.
The collapse of the regime led to democracy.
Historical/Political context.
Dopo il crollo emotivo, ha deciso di prendersi una pausa.
After the emotional breakdown, he decided to take a break.
Reflexive verb 'prendersi'.
Il crollo di quell'azienda è stato uno shock per la città.
The collapse of that company was a shock for the city.
Demonstrative adjective 'quell''.
Hanno evitato il crollo del ponte grazie ai lavori di rinforzo.
They avoided the collapse of the bridge thanks to reinforcement work.
Past tense 'Hanno evitato'.
Il crollo della fiducia nei politici è evidente.
The collapse of trust in politicians is evident.
Abstract noun 'fiducia' (trust).
Il crollo della diga ha allagato l'intera valle.
The collapse of the dam flooded the entire valley.
Adjective 'intera' (entire).
Il crollo dei consumi riflette la crisi delle famiglie.
The collapse in consumption reflects the crisis of families.
Verb 'riflettere' (to reflect).
Assistiamo a un crollo dei valori tradizionali nella società moderna.
We are witnessing a collapse of traditional values in modern society.
Verb 'assistere a' (to witness).
Il crollo dell'impero fu un processo lungo e complesso.
The collapse of the empire was a long and complex process.
Passato remoto 'fu' (was).
La struttura ha mostrato segni di cedimento prima del crollo finale.
The structure showed signs of yielding before the final collapse.
Contrast between 'cedimento' and 'crollo'.
Il crollo delle esportazioni ha aggravato il deficit commerciale.
The collapse of exports worsened the trade deficit.
Economic terminology 'deficit commerciale'.
Un crollo delle difese immunitarie può portare a malattie gravi.
A collapse of immune defenses can lead to serious illnesses.
Medical context.
Il crollo del muro di Berlino ha cambiato la storia d'Europa.
The fall of the Berlin Wall changed the history of Europe.
Specific historical reference.
Il crollo della reputazione dell'attore è stato istantaneo.
The collapse of the actor's reputation was instantaneous.
Noun phrase 'reputazione dell'attore'.
Il crollo del paradigma positivista ha aperto nuove vie alla ricerca.
The collapse of the positivist paradigm opened new avenues for research.
Epistemological context.
Si teme un crollo sistemico dell'intero apparato burocratico.
A systemic collapse of the entire bureaucratic apparatus is feared.
Impersonal 'Si teme'.
Il crollo delle quotazioni ha innescato una vendita dal panico.
The collapse of prices triggered a panic sale.
Verb 'innescare' (to trigger).
L'analisi evidenzia un crollo della coesione sociale nelle periferie.
The analysis highlights a collapse of social cohesion in the suburbs.
Sociological terminology.
Il crollo di ogni certezza morale lasciò il protagonista nel vuoto.
The collapse of every moral certainty left the protagonist in a void.
Literary style.
Nessuna manutenzione avrebbe potuto prevenire un tale crollo rovinoso.
No maintenance could have prevented such a ruinous collapse.
Conditional perfect 'avrebbe potuto'.
Il crollo demografico minaccia la sostenibilità del sistema pensionistico.
The demographic collapse threatens the sustainability of the pension system.
Policy-related context.
Il crollo della narrativa ufficiale ha generato caos informativo.
The collapse of the official narrative generated information chaos.
Abstract noun 'narrativa'.
Il crollo delle strutture metafisiche è il tema centrale del nichilismo.
The collapse of metaphysical structures is the central theme of nihilism.
Philosophical register.
Assistere al crollo di un'epoca è un'esperienza che segna le generazioni.
Witnessing the collapse of an era is an experience that marks generations.
Infinitive as subject 'Assistere'.
Il crollo della borsa del 1929 rimane il monito più cupo per gli economisti.
The 1929 stock market crash remains the darkest warning for economists.
Apposition 'del 1929'.
L'entropia descrive l'inevitabile crollo di ogni sistema ordinato.
Entropy describes the inevitable collapse of every ordered system.
Scientific/Philosophical context.
Il crollo psicotico fu l'apice di un lungo processo di alienazione.
The psychotic breakdown was the peak of a long process of alienation.
Clinical psychological register.
Nel crollo delle illusioni giovanili si forgia la maturità dell'uomo.
In the collapse of youthful illusions, the maturity of man is forged.
Inversion for poetic effect.
Il crollo di quel mito ha lasciato un vuoto incolmabile nella cultura popolare.
The collapse of that myth left an unfillable void in popular culture.
Adjective 'incolmabile' (unfillable).
Il crollo della sovranità statale ha favorito l'ascesa di poteri locali.
The collapse of state sovereignty favored the rise of local powers.
Political science register.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
— To be at risk of collapsing or failing completely.
Senza investimenti, il sistema rischia il crollo.
— To prevent a collapse from happening.
Dobbiamo agire subito per evitare il crollo dell'economia.
— A collapse that happens without warning.
Un crollo improvviso ha sorpreso tutti.
— Visible indicators that something is about to fail.
Ci sono chiari segni di crollo nelle mura.
— A collapse that causes great damage or ruin.
Un rovinoso crollo ha distrutto il castello.
Souvent confondu avec
Caduta is a general fall; crollo is a catastrophic/structural failure.
Fallimento is lack of success; crollo is the sudden breakdown itself.
Cedimento is the yielding or sagging; crollo is the final collapse.
Expressions idiomatiques
— To be on the very edge of failing or breaking down.
L'azienda è sull'orlo del crollo finanziario.
Neutral— To have a mental or physical breakdown.
Dopo l'esame ha avuto un crollo ed è scoppiata a piangere.
Informal— When someone or something highly respected is proven to be flawed or fails.
Per molti, la sconfitta del campione è stata il crollo di un mito.
Neutral/Journalistic— A domino effect where one failure causes many others.
Il fallimento della banca ha causato un crollo a catena.
Technical/Economic— Similar to 'crollo nervoso', specifically focusing on the loss of composure.
È stato un vero crollo dei nervi sotto pressione.
Neutral— To feel the weight of exhaustion or the impact of a failure.
A fine giornata sento tutto il crollo della stanchezza.
Informal— When everything one believed in is suddenly questioned or destroyed.
La guerra ha portato al crollo delle certezze di un'intera generazione.
Literary— A very steep and rapid decline, often used for statistics.
Le vendite di auto hanno subito un crollo verticale.
Journalistic— A sudden and disappointing lapse in behavior or taste.
Quel commento volgare è stato un vero crollo di stile per lui.
Informal/Critical— A sudden loss of public favor.
Il cantante ha affrontato un crollo di popolarità dopo lo scandalo.
NeutralFacile à confondre
Verb vs Noun
Crollare is the action (to collapse); crollo is the event (the collapse).
L'edificio crolla (verb) vs Il crollo dell'edificio (noun).
Spelling/Sound
Corallo means coral (from the sea); crollo means collapse.
Il corallo è rosso vs Il crollo è stato improvviso.
Spelling/Sound
Collo means neck; crollo means collapse.
Mi fa male il collo vs Il crollo del muro.
Spelling/Sound
Controllo means control; crollo means collapse. They are almost opposites in meaning.
Ho tutto sotto controllo vs C'è stato un crollo.
Spelling/Sound
Scrollo is a shake or a shrug; crollo is a collapse.
Uno scrollo di spalle vs Il crollo della casa.
Structures de phrases
Il crollo di + [Noun]
Il crollo di un muro.
C'è un crollo di/delle + [Noun]
C'è un crollo delle temperature.
Avere un crollo + [Adjective]
Ho avuto un crollo nervoso.
Causare il crollo di + [Noun]
La crisi ha causato il crollo dell'azienda.
In seguito al crollo di...
In seguito al crollo della diga, la zona fu evacuata.
Sottolineare il crollo di...
L'autore sottolinea il crollo dei valori borghesi.
Il crollo delle strutture + [Adjective]
Il crollo delle strutture ontologiche.
Assistere al rovinoso crollo di...
Abbiamo assistito al rovinoso crollo di un'utopia.
Famille de mots
Noms
Verbes
Adjectifs
Apparenté
Comment l'utiliser
Very common in news, weather, and daily talk about exhaustion.
-
Using 'crollo' for falling leaves.
→
La caduta delle foglie.
'Crollo' is for catastrophic or structural failure, not natural cycles like leaves falling.
-
Saying 'la crollo'.
→
Il crollo.
'Crollo' is a masculine noun ending in -o.
-
Using 'crollo' as a verb.
→
L'edificio è crollato.
'Crollo' is the noun; 'crollare' is the verb.
-
Using 'crollo' for a failed exam.
→
Bocciatura or Insuccesso.
'Crollo' is for the failure of a whole system or structure, not a single test result.
-
Confusing 'crollo' with 'corallo'.
→
Il crollo (collapse) vs Il corallo (coral).
Watch the vowels and the extra 'a' in 'corallo'.
Astuces
Think Structural
Always remember that 'crollo' implies a structure (physical, financial, or mental) that has failed. It's not just a simple drop; it's a breakdown of a system.
Check the Gender
It's always masculine: 'il crollo'. Using 'la crollo' is a common mistake for beginners who confuse it with 'la caduta'.
Linger on the L
Don't rush the double 'l'. If you say 'crolo', it sounds like you are missing a letter. The double 'l' gives the word its rhythmic weight.
News Watch
Read the financial section of an Italian newspaper like 'Il Sole 24 Ore'. You will see 'crollo' used constantly to describe market movements.
Hyperbole
Italians love drama. Feel free to use 'ho avuto un crollo' when you're just really tired; it's a very common and natural exaggeration.
Historical Crollo
When studying Italian history, look for the 'crollo' of different eras—it's the standard way to describe the end of political periods.
Temperature Watch
When you hear 'crollo termico' on the news, grab a sweater! It means the temperature is about to drop significantly.
Nervous Breakdown
Remember the fixed phrase 'crollo nervoso'. It's the most common way to translate 'nervous breakdown' into Italian.
Adjective Pairing
To make your writing more sophisticated, use 'crollo verticale' to describe a very sharp and fast decline in numbers.
Spot the Double Consonant
Practice listening to 'crollo' vs 'collo' (neck). The 'r' and the double 'l' are the key sounds to identify.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of a 'Crow' landing on a 'Low' branch, causing it to 'Crollo' (collapse).
Association visuelle
Imagine the Berlin Wall falling down—the ultimate historical 'crollo'.
Word Web
Défi
Try to use 'crollo' in three different ways today: one for a physical object, one for the weather, and one for your energy levels.
Origine du mot
Derived from the Italian verb 'crollare', which comes from the Vulgar Latin *corotulare.
Sens originel : The root *rotulare means 'to roll', and the prefix 'co-' intensifies it, originally suggesting a vigorous shaking or rolling that leads to a fall.
Romance (Latin origin).Contexte culturel
Be sensitive when using 'crollo' to describe people; while common, it still implies a serious state of distress.
In English, we often use 'crash' for markets and 'breakdown' for people. Italian uses 'crollo' for both, which shows a unified view of structural failure.
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
Financial News
- crollo della borsa
- crollo dei titoli
- crollo dei mercati
- crollo del valore
Weather Forecast
- crollo termico
- crollo delle temperature
- crollo della pressione
- crollo della quota neve
Psychology/Health
- crollo nervoso
- crollo psicologico
- crollo fisico
- crollo emotivo
Architecture/Disasters
- crollo strutturale
- crollo parziale
- crollo di un edificio
- rischio crollo
History/Politics
- crollo dell'impero
- crollo del muro
- crollo del regime
- crollo del consenso
Amorces de conversation
"Hai sentito del crollo della borsa stamattina?"
"Ti è mai capitato di avere un crollo di energie a metà giornata?"
"Cosa pensi sia stato a causare il crollo di quel vecchio edificio?"
"Secondo te, il crollo dei valori è un problema reale oggi?"
"Ricordi dove eri durante il crollo del Muro di Berlino?"
Sujets d'écriture
Descrivi un momento in cui hai assistito a un piccolo crollo fisico o emotivo e come ti sei ripreso.
Rifletti sul crollo di una tua vecchia certezza o convinzione: cosa è cambiato dopo?
Immagina di essere un giornalista che riporta il crollo di un monumento famoso. Scrivi l'articolo.
Pensi che il crollo dei prezzi sia sempre un bene per i consumatori? Argomenta la tua risposta.
Descrivi il crollo di una civiltà immaginaria in un racconto breve.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, 'crollo' is very common for people in both physical and mental contexts. 'Un crollo fisico' means you are physically exhausted, while 'un crollo nervoso' refers to a psychological breakdown. It implies that the person's ability to cope has completely failed.
Usually, yes, as it implies destruction or failure. However, in a political context, the 'crollo' of a dictatorship or a corrupt system can be seen as a positive step toward freedom. Context determines the emotional weight.
'Caduta' is a general word for 'fall' (like falling off a bike or the fall of leaves). 'Crollo' is much more intense and usually refers to a structural or systemic failure, like a building falling down or a market crashing.
The double 'l' in Italian is pronounced by placing the tip of your tongue against your upper teeth and holding the sound for a fraction of a second longer than a single 'l'. It creates a slight 'pause' or 'intensity' in the middle of the word.
It's possible, but Italians usually use the verb 'crashare' or 'andare in crash'. However, if a whole system fails permanently, you might hear 'crollo del sistema'.
'Crollo' is a masculine noun. You say 'il crollo' (singular) and 'i crolli' (plural).
Common adjectives include 'improvviso' (sudden), 'totale' (total), 'rovinoso' (ruinous), 'nervoso' (nervous), 'verticale' (vertical/steep), and 'strutturale' (structural).
It means a 'plummeting of temperatures'. It's a standard phrase used by weather forecasters when a cold front arrives and the temperature drops significantly and quickly.
Yes, if a team is winning and then suddenly starts playing very poorly and loses, commentators might call it a 'crollo mentale' or 'crollo della squadra'.
Yes, the verb is 'crollare'. For example: 'Il muro crolla' (The wall collapses) or 'I prezzi sono crollati' (The prices have crashed).
Teste-toi 200 questions
Write a sentence using 'crollo della borsa'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence using 'crollo nervoso'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence about the weather using 'crollo'.
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Write a simple sentence about a wall and 'crollo'.
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Describe a political collapse using 'crollo'.
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Use 'crollo verticale' in a business context.
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Explain why a bridge might have a 'crollo'.
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Say you are tired using 'crollo'.
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Write a philosophical sentence about 'crollo'.
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Write about a 'crollo dei prezzi'.
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Use 'rischiare il crollo' in a sentence.
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Describe a demographic problem using 'crollo'.
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Write about a news report you saw.
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Use 'crollo fisico' in a sentence.
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Use 'crollo delle illusioni' in a sentence.
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Use 'crollo del consenso' in a sentence.
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What happens after a 'crollo'?
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Use 'innescare un crollo' in a sentence.
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Write about a 'crollo di fiducia'.
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Use 'crollo strutturale' in a sentence.
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Say 'The collapse of the wall' in Italian.
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Say 'A drop in temperature' in Italian.
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Say 'I had a nervous breakdown' in Italian.
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Say 'The stock market crash' in Italian.
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Say 'The fall of the regime' in Italian.
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Say 'I am exhausted (I have a crash)' in Italian.
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Say 'A vertical collapse of sales' in Italian.
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Say 'Risk of collapse' in Italian.
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Say 'A sudden collapse' in Italian.
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Say 'The collapse of values' in Italian.
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Say 'After the collapse' in Italian.
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Say 'The collapse of the roof' in Italian.
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Say 'A demographic collapse' in Italian.
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Say 'The collapse of the consensus' in Italian.
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Say 'Small collapse' in Italian.
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Say 'A physical breakdown' in Italian.
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Say 'The collapse of youth illusions' in Italian.
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Say 'To cause a collapse' in Italian.
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Say 'Systemic collapse' in Italian.
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Say 'Signs of collapse' in Italian.
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Listen and identify: 'Il crollo'.
Listen and identify: 'Crollo termico'.
Listen and identify: 'Crollo della borsa'.
Listen and identify: 'Crollo nervoso'.
Listen and identify: 'Crollo del regime'.
Listen and identify: 'Crollo verticale'.
Listen and identify: 'C'è un crollo'.
Listen and identify: 'Rischio crollo'.
Listen and identify: 'Crollo delle certezze'.
Listen and identify: 'I crolli'.
Listen and identify: 'Dopo il crollo'.
Listen and identify: 'Crollo demografico'.
Listen and identify: 'Crollo dei prezzi'.
Listen and identify: 'Crollo improvviso'.
Listen and identify: 'Crollo psicotico'.
/ 200 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word 'crollo' is your go-to Italian term for any sudden and dramatic collapse, whether you're talking about a physical bridge, the global economy, or your own mental state after a long day. Example: 'Il crollo della borsa' (The stock market crash).
- Crollo is a masculine noun meaning a sudden failure, collapse, or crash of a physical or abstract system.
- It is used for buildings falling, stock markets crashing, and people having nervous breakdowns or exhaustion.
- Commonly paired with adjectives like 'improvviso' (sudden) or 'totale' (total) to emphasize the event's severity.
- Distinguish it from 'caduta', which is a general fall, whereas 'crollo' implies a catastrophic or structural failure.
Think Structural
Always remember that 'crollo' implies a structure (physical, financial, or mental) that has failed. It's not just a simple drop; it's a breakdown of a system.
Check the Gender
It's always masculine: 'il crollo'. Using 'la crollo' is a common mistake for beginners who confuse it with 'la caduta'.
Linger on the L
Don't rush the double 'l'. If you say 'crolo', it sounds like you are missing a letter. The double 'l' gives the word its rhythmic weight.
News Watch
Read the financial section of an Italian newspaper like 'Il Sole 24 Ore'. You will see 'crollo' used constantly to describe market movements.
Contenu associé
Plus de mots sur business
abbonamento
B1A subscription to a service or publication.
acquisire
B2To acquire, gain, or obtain knowledge or assets.
acquistare
A2To buy or purchase something
affare
B1Une affaire ou une bonne occasion. 'C'est une bonne affaire !'
affittare
A2To pay money to use something temporarily
affitto
A1Periodic payment for the use of property.
aggiuntivo
B2Added to something else as a supplement.
andamento
B1La manière dont une situation évolue ou progresse. L'andamento du marché est très suivi.
annullare
B2Annuler un vol ou un contrat. L'arbitre a décidé d'annuler le but après avoir consulté la VAR.
annuncio
A2Announcement or advertisement
