s'affaisser
to collapse · collapse
Definition & meaning
S'affaisser is a pronominal verb meaning to sag, sink, slump, or collapse under weight or weakness. It can describe:
- A structure or object that gives way or loses its shape: The roof sagged.
- The ground or a surface that sinks or settles: The soil sank.
- A person who slumps or collapses, often from tiredness or weakness.
- A face or body whose features or posture droop.
The exact sense depends on what is sagging: a structure may be giving way, the ground may be settling, and a person may be slumping or collapsing.
Grammar & Word origin
S'affaisser is the reflexive form of affaisser. It is a regular -er verb and is conjugated with être in compound tenses: elle s'est affaissée (“she slumped”). The past participle agrees with the subject.
The verb is historically formed from a- and faix, an older word for a load or burden. The idea is of something giving way under weight.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
- s'effondrer — to collapse or cave in; usually suggests a more complete or sudden collapse.
- s'écrouler — to collapse or fall down, often more abruptly or dramatically.
- se tasser [?](vocabuo://word/se tasser) — to settle or compact, especially of soil or a material; less focused on visibly drooping.
- fléchir — to bend or give way; often describes something bending under pressure, or a person’s resolve weakening.
- s'avachir — to slump or become limp, especially of a person’s posture; more informal.
Antonyms
- se redresser [?](vocabuo://word/se redresser) — to straighten up or rise back into an upright position.
- se raffermir [?](vocabuo://word/se raffermir) — to become firmer or more stable, rather than yielding or sagging.
- se relever [?](vocabuo://word/se relever) — to get back up after falling or collapsing.
Common phrases & collocations
- un bâtiment qui s'affaisse [?](vocabuo://word/un bâtiment qui s'affaisse) — a building that is subsiding or sagging.
- le sol s'affaisse [?](vocabuo://word/le sol s'affaisse) — the ground is sinking or settling.
- s'affaisser sous le poids [?](vocabuo://word/s'affaisser sous le poids) — to sag or give way under the weight.
- s'affaisser dans un fauteuil [?](vocabuo://word/s'affaisser dans un fauteuil) — to slump into an armchair.
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Examples
Le vieux mur risque de s'affaisser bientôt.verb
The old wall may collapse soon.
Le toit s'est affaissé sous la neige.verb
The roof collapsed under the weight of the snow.
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