부수다
busuda[pusʰuda̠]
The English verb 'smash' is translated into Korean as 부수다 (busuda).
부수다 is a transitive verb used to describe the action of violently breaking an object.
Meaning: (transitive) to break violently (verb)
Which one should you use?
부수다 is a transitive verb used when an agent breaks an object, whereas 부서지다 is the intransitive form used when an object breaks or is smashed.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense of 부수다 is 부수었다 (smashed), and the progressive form is 부수고 있다 (is smashing).
How do you pronounce it?
busuda
Did you know?
- While 부수다 means 'to smash', Korean has a specific vocabulary of ideophones that mimic the sound of things breaking, which often accompany this verb in storytelling.
- In Middle Korean, the words 부수다 'to smash' and 바수다 'to grind' were actually the same word.
Examples in context
- 전쟁이 그 도시를 완전히 파괴하였습니다.The war completely smashed that city.
- 얼음 덩어리를 그렇게 강하게 쳤어요! 다 박살났잖아요!You smashed that block of ice so hard! It's completely shattered!
- 유리를 부수다To smash glass
Example conversation
Minji and Minjun are cleaning out a garage.
- 민지 Min-ji민준 씨, 이 상자를 부수다.Minjun ssi, i sangjajeul busuda.Minjun, smash this box.
- 민준 Min-jun네, 지금 바로 부술게요.ne, jigeum baro busulgeyo.Yes, I will smash it right now.
- 민지 Min-ji조심해서 부수세요.josimhaeseo bususeyo.Please smash it carefully.
- 민준 Min-jun걱정 마세요, 다 부쉈어요.geokjeong maseyo, da busyeosseoyo.Don't worry, I smashed it all.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “smash” translations and entries 부수다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 부수다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
