破落 (pò là) — to decline (in fortunes); to go to ruin; to become poor and broken-down

Definition

Examples

• 那个曾经富有的家族很快就破落了。
  Nà ge céng jīng fù yǒu de jiā zú hěn kuài jiù pò là le.
  That formerly wealthy family soon declined.
• 这家公司因为经营不善而渐渐破落。
  Zhè jiā gōng sī yīn wèi jīng yíng bú shàn ér jiàn jiàn pò là.
  This company gradually declined due to poor management.
• 他出身名门，但后来家道破落，成了穷人。
  Tā chū shēn míng mén, dàn hòu lái jiā dào pò là, chéng le qióng rén.
  He came from a famous family, but later his family's fortune declined and he became poor.

Origin