to collapse / descend on
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to collapse
To suddenly and violently fall in on itself. The term is mainly used for buildings, bridges, roofs, or other structures.
Das alte Fabrikgebäude ist nach dem schweren Sturm eingestürzt.
The old factory building collapsed after the severe storm.
to descend on someone
To overwhelm and pressure someone with a flood of words, questions, accusations, or information.
Als er nach Hause kam, stürzten die Kinder mit all ihren Fragen auf ihn ein.
When he came home, the children descended on him with all their questions.
to collapse
In a figurative sense, the sudden failure or collapse of a system, a theory, or a personal worldview.
Nachdem er die Wahrheit erfuhr, ist für ihn eine ganze Welt eingestürzt.
After he learned the truth, a whole world collapsed for him.
'Einstürzen' (to collapse/descend on) is a separable verb. The prefix 'ein-' comes at the end in a main clause. It is derived from 'in' (into) and describes the inward movement of collapsing.
Wegen der Schneemassen stürzte das Dach der Halle ein.
Because of the masses of snow, the roof of the hall collapsed.
Because 'einstürzen' (to collapse) describes a change of state, the perfect tense is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be).
Das Kartenhaus ist bei dem kleinsten Windstoß eingestürzt.
The house of cards collapsed at the slightest gust of wind.
The subject of the sentence shows you the meaning. If it is a structure (house, bridge), it is literal. If it is words or questions, it is the figurative meaning of pressuring someone. If it is an abstract concept (world, system), it is a metaphorical collapse.
Die alte Scheune ist gestern eingestürzt.
The old barn collapsed yesterday.
In the meaning 'jemanden bedrängen' (to pressure/overwhelm someone), the verb needs the preposition 'auf' followed by a person in the accusative. The subject is then the things that 'einprasseln' (rain down) on the person.
Kaum war er zur Tür herein, stürzten alle Probleme auf ihn ein.
No sooner had he come through the door than all the problems descended on him.
to occur to / collapse / invade
Einfallen and einstürzen can both describe a building or roof collapsing. Einfallen refers more generally to a collapse, while einstürzen usually emphasizes a sudden and violent collapse. Use einfallen for a described sinking or collapse and einstürzen for a dramatic collapse.
Nach dem heftigen Sturm stürzte das alte Dach plötzlich ein.
The old roof suddenly collapsed after the severe storm.
Nach vielen Jahren ohne Reparaturen fiel das alte Dach langsam ein.
After many years without repairs, the old roof slowly caved in.
