afundar

Senses

1. 1.

   to sink

   to go down below the surface of water or another substance

2. 2.

   to sink (transitive)

   to cause something to go down below the surface

3. 3.

   to collapse, to fall into ruin

   to fail completely or deteriorate (figurative)

4. 4.

   to plunge into, to immerse oneself

   to become deeply involved or absorbed in something

Examples

• "O navio afundou depois de bater no iceberg."

  The ship sank after hitting the iceberg.

• "A empresa afundou em dívidas após a crise econômica."

  The company collapsed into debt after the economic crisis.

• "Ele afundou na poltrona para assistir TV."

  He sank into the armchair to watch TV.

Usage

Common reflexive form "afundar-se" emphasizes self-immersion. Frequently used with "em" (in): afundar em dívidas (sink into debt), afundar em depressão (sink into depression). Both literal (physical sinking) and figurative uses are very common in Brazilian Portuguese.