A broken-down car will not go. A broken-down washing machine sits there dead. The word also covers things that still exist but are in a sad state: a broken-down shed, a broken-down old hotel.

A broken-down car這樣的車 will not go發不動、走不了。A broken-down washing machine這樣的洗衣機 sits there dead死死地待在那裡。The word這個字 also covers也涵蓋 that still exist but are in a sad state還在、但狀態很慘的 things東西: a broken-down shed破舊的棚屋, a broken-down old hotel破敗的老旅館。

With people and animals it can sound unkind if you are not careful: a broken-down old boxer is someone worn out, used up. You can hear a little pity in it, or a little scorn, depending on the voice.

With people and animals用在人和動物身上, if you are not careful如果不小心 it can sound unkind可能顯得不厚道: a broken-down old boxer一個 broken-down 的老拳手 is someone worn out, used up是被磨盡、被用壞的人。You你 in it在裡面 can hear聽得出 a little pity一點憐憫, or a little scorn或一點輕蔑, depending on the voice就看說話的口氣。

It comes from the phrasal verb break down: a machine breaks down, and then it is broken-down. Notice the hyphen and the -en: we do not say a break-down car.

It它 comes from the phrasal verb來自片語動詞 break down: a machine breaks down機器故障了, and then it is之後它就是 broken-down。Notice注意 the hyphen and the -en連字號和 -en: we我們 do not say不說 a break-down car。

Though actually, breakdown without a hyphen is a different word again — a breakdown is the event (a breakdown on the motorway; a nervous breakdown). Broken-down is the state after.

Though actually不過其實, without a hyphen不加連字號的 breakdown is a different word again又是另一個字了 — a breakdown is the event指的是那個事件, a breakdown on the motorway在公路上拋錨, a nervous breakdown精神崩潰。Broken-down is是 the state after事後的那個狀態。