Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 破壊する | hakai suru | |
| 壊す | kowasu | [ko̞β̞a̠sɨ] (narrow) |
| 潰す | tsubusu | [t͡sɨbɯ̟sɨ] (narrow) |
| 破る | yaburu | [ja̠bɯ̟ɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
While several words can translate to 'destroy', the correct choice depends on whether you are breaking a physical object, tearing a document or ruining an abstract concept.
Which one should you use?
破壊する is used for large-scale destruction, such as destroying a building, a system or an abstract concept like a reputation. 壊す is the most common, general-purpose verb for breaking or destroying physical objects like machines or toys. 潰す implies destroying something by crushing it, or it can be used figuratively to mean 'crushing' an opponent or a business. 破る is used specifically for destroying things by tearing them, such as paper or for breaking abstract things like promises or rules.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun form of the formal verb 破壊する is 破壊.
How do you pronounce it?
hakai suru
Did you know?
- The word 潰す can be used to describe the act of crushing a bug or a can, but also to mean 'killing time' when you have nothing to do.
- The word 破る (yaburu) can mean 'to destroy' a promise, but it is also the standard word used for 'to win' a record or a streak.
- Japanese distinguishes between 壊す and 壊れる. The first is for when someone destroys something, while the second is for when something breaks on its own.
Examples in context
- 書類を破る。Destroy a document. / Tear a document.This example shows how to use 破る for tearing a document.
- お前はいつも何もかも壊すのよ。You always destroy everything.This example demonstrates the use of 壊す to describe destroying objects.Tatoeba #1485547 by marshmallowcat, translation #620102 by ulyssemc1
- その大地震は町を完全に破壊しました。That earthquake completely destroyed the town.
- 彼の思わぬ行動が会社を破滅させた。His unexpected actions destroyed the company.
- 彼は怒りのあまり、携帯電話を壊した。He got so angry that he broke his cellphone.
- 彼は大事な書類をバラバラに破いた。He ripped the important documents into pieces.
Example conversation
Hiyori and Kenta are talking about a video game.
- 陽葵 Himari敵の拠点を破壊したよ！teki no kyoten o hakai shita yo!I destroyed the enemy base!
- 健太 Kentaすごいね。よくやったよ。sugoi ne. yoku yatta yoThat's amazing. Well done.
- 陽葵 Himari次はどこを破壊する？tsugi wa doko o hakai suru?What should we destroy next?
- 健太 Kentaあっちの塔を狙おう。atchi no tou o neraouLet's aim for that tower over there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “destroy” translations and entries 壊す, 潰す, 破る, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
