깨트리다
kkaeteurida[k͈ɛtʰɯɾida̠]
The English word "break" (to separate into pieces) can be translated into Korean in several ways. The default form is 깨트리다 (kkaeteurida). Wiktionary also lists 부러뜨리다 (bureotteurida) and 부수다 (busuda).
Meaning: transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces (verb)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 깨트리다 | kkaeteurida | [k͈ɛtʰɯɾida̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [k͈e̞tʰɯɾida̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 부러뜨리다 | bureotteurida | [puɾʌ̹t͈ɯɾida̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 부수다 | busuda | [pusʰuda̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
Use 깨트리다 for shattering brittle items, 부러뜨리다 for snapping long or thin items and 부수다 for crushing or demolishing structures or containers.
Which one should you use?
The different forms are used as follows:
– 깨트리다 is used for breaking hard, brittle objects like glass or ceramics into pieces. – 부러뜨리다 is used for breaking long, thin or flexible objects like sticks or pencils by snapping them. – 부수다 is used for breaking or destroying something by crushing it or smashing it into many small parts, such as a wall or a box.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 깨트리다 can also be written as 깨뜨리다. Both versions are common, widely used and correct.
How do you pronounce it?
kkaeteurida
Did you know?
- The verb 부수다 is used to 'break' not only physical walls but also abstract things, such as a world record or a dream.
- The earliest recorded use of 부수다 dates back to 1459 in a Buddhist text called the Worin seokbo.
Examples in context
- 휴일에는 쉬고 싶어요I want to rest on my day off.
- 여기서 잠시 휴게소에 들러 주세요Please stop by the rest area here for a short break.
- 지금 좀 쉬자Let's take a break now.
- 잠깐 멈추고 좀 쉬자Let's take a short break and rest.
- 유리를 깨트리다.yurireul kkaeteurida.To break the glass.
- 조용한 분위기를 깨트리다.joyonghan bunwigireul kkaeteurida.To break the quiet atmosphere.
- 기록을 깨트리다.girokeul kkaeteurida.To break the record.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “break” translations and entries 깨트리다, 부러뜨리다, 부수다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 부수다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
