descomponerse
verb
1. to break down, malfunction
stop working
Common combinations
- descomponerse el coche — the car breaking down
- descomponerse la máquina — the machine breaking down
- descomponerse de repente — break down suddenly
- El coche se descompuso en la carretera.The car broke down on the road.
- La lavadora se descompone con frecuencia.The washing machine breaks down frequently.
- El teléfono se descompuso después de la caída.The phone malfunctioned after the fall.
2. to rot, spoil, decompose
decay or go bad
Common combinations
- descomponerse la fruta — fruit rotting
- descomponerse la carne — meat spoiling
- descomponerse rápidamente — decompose quickly
- La fruta se descompone con el calor.Fruit rots in the heat.
- La carne se descompuso por falta de frío.The meat spoiled because it was not kept cold.
- Los restos de comida se descomponen rápido.Food scraps decompose quickly.
3. to break down into, decompose into + en
separate into parts or substances
Common combinations
- descomponerse en elementos — break down into elements
- descomponerse en partes — break down into parts
- descomponerse en sustancias — break down into substances
- El agua se descompone en hidrógeno y oxígeno.Water breaks down into hydrogen and oxygen.
- La luz se descompone en varios colores.Light separates into several colors.
- El problema se descompone en partes más pequeñas.The problem breaks down into smaller parts.
4. to lose one's composure, become upset
lose calm or self-control
Common combinations
- descomponerse ante una noticia — lose one's composure at news
- descomponerse durante una discusión — lose one's composure during an argument
- no descomponerse — not lose one's composure
- Se descompuso al recibir la noticia.He lost his composure when he heard the news.
- El hombre se descompuso durante la discusión.The man lost his composure during the argument.
- Intentó no descomponerse delante de los niños.She tried not to lose her composure in front of the children.
5. to get an upset stomach, feel sick
Latin America · suffer a physical upset, especially of the stomach
Common combinations
- descomponerse el estómago — get an upset stomach
- descomponerse después de comer — get sick after eating
- descomponerse durante el viaje — feel sick during the trip
- Se me descompuso el estómago.I got an upset stomach.
- A Juan se le descompuso el estómago después de comer.Juan got an upset stomach after eating.
- El niño se descompuso durante el viaje.The child felt sick during the trip.