phá vỡ
[faː˧˦ vəː˦ˀ˥]word by word
The English word break can be translated into Vietnamese as phá vỡ.
As a transitive verb, phá vỡ means to separate something into two or more pieces or to cause something to end up in pieces. It is frequently used in the context of breaking a record (phá vỡ kỷ lục) or breaking a silence (phá vỡ sự im lặng).
Meaning: transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces (verb)
Which one should you use?
phá vỡ is used when referring to breaking abstract things like promises, rules or records or physical things like a silence or a pattern. In contrast, if you are referring to the physical act of breaking a tangible object like a glass or a plate, làm vỡ is more common.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate that the breaking has already occurred (broke/has broken), add the particle đã before phá vỡ, resulting in đã phá vỡ.
Did you know?
- The word phá vỡ is a linguistic hybrid. It combines phá, which is a Sino-Vietnamese word of Chinese origin, with vỡ, which is a native Vietnamese word.
- When referring to breaking a record, phá vỡ kỷ lục is common, but in casual speech, Vietnamese people often drop vỡ and simply say phá kỷ lục.
- The word phá has a 'doublet' in the Vietnamese language, meaning there is another related word, phay, that shares a similar historical lineage.
Examples in context
- Nó sẽ phá vỡ.It will break.Tatoeba #3550249 by turkishlearner, translation #3550224 by sundown
- Tom sẽ không bao giờ phá vỡ một lời hứa.Tom would never break a promise.This sentence uses phá vỡ to describe the act of breaking a promise.Tatoeba #1541863 by Aomori, translation #1046541 by CK
- Tối nay, tôi muốn nghỉ ngơi sau một ngày làm việc dài.Tonight, I want to take a break after a long working day.
- Đang làm bài, tôi cần nghỉ xíu trước khi tiếp tục.I need to take a short break before continuing my homework.
- Đừng phá vỡ sự im lặng.Don't break the silence.
Example conversation
Chi and Tuấn are sitting in a quiet library.
- ChiChúng ta cần giữ im lặng.We need to keep quiet.
- TuấnĐừng phá vỡ sự im lặng nhé.Don't break the silence, okay?
- ChiTôi biết rồi, Tuấn.I know, Tuấn.
- TuấnCảm ơn Chi.Thanks, Chi.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (phá, vỡ) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries phá, phá vỡ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
