瓦解する

• Reading: がかいする
• Romaji: gakaisuru
• Kanji breakdown: 瓦 (ga) — roof tile; 解 (kai) — dissolve, break apart, disintegrate
• Pronunciation: /ɡa.ka.i.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To collapse; to crumble; to fall apart completely — typically of an organisation, system, alliance, or plan.

An irregular verb (Group 3, する verb) used in formal and journalistic contexts. Derived from the image of a tiled roof whose tiles fall one by one until the whole structure collapses. Unlike 崩壊する, which can describe physical collapse, 瓦解する is used almost exclusively for the disintegration of organisations, alliances, political systems, or trust. Implies a gradual, cascading breakdown rather than a sudden destruction.

Examples

1. 内部告発をきっかけに、長年の隠蔽体制が一気に瓦解した。 Triggered by a whistleblower, the long-standing cover-up apparatus collapsed all at once.
2. 信頼を失った政権は瓦解するのに、そう長くはかからなかった。 It did not take long for the government, having lost the trust of the people, to crumble.
3. 連立政権内の対立が深まり、与党連合は瓦解寸前の状態に陥っている。 Deepening divisions within the coalition government have left the ruling alliance on the verge of collapse.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, journalism, organisational management, history

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From 瓦 (ga — roof tile) and 解 (kai — to dissolve, to break apart). The image is of a tiled roof collapsing as its individual tiles fall one after another in a cascade.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated