Translation guide
The English phrase "be destroyed" can refer to physical destruction, ruin, or emotional devastation. In Japanese, the appropriate expression depends on whether the subject is an object, a building, a plan, or a person's mental state. This guide covers common verbs and phrases for each nuance.
To express that something is physically broken, demolished, or ruined.
General verb for something breaking or being destroyed, often for machines, furniture, or structures. Intransitive.
The house was destroyed by the earthquake.
Passive form of 破壊する (to destroy). Emphasizes the action of destruction, often used for large-scale or intentional destruction.
The building was destroyed by a bomb.
To collapse or crumble, often for natural formations, buildings, or structures falling apart.
The cliff collapsed and blocked the road.
To be crushed or smashed, often for something flattened or destroyed by pressure.
The car was crushed by a truck.
To express that a plan, dream, or abstract concept is destroyed or comes to nothing.
To be ruined or spoiled, often for plans, events, or efforts. Implies something was made useless or wasted.
The picnic was ruined by the rain.
Can be used metaphorically for plans or systems falling apart.
To fail or collapse, often used for financial ruin, relationships, or systems. More formal.
The company went bankrupt (was destroyed financially).
To express that a person is emotionally destroyed or devastated.
To be emotionally crushed or devastated. Passive form of 打ちのめす (to knock down).
He was devastated by the news.
Literally 'one's heart breaks', meaning to lose spirit or be emotionally broken. Common in casual contexts.
I failed so many times that I was emotionally destroyed.
To fall into despair. Stronger than just sadness; implies a sense of hopelessness.
She despaired of the future (was destroyed by hopelessness).
To express that something is utterly destroyed, leaving nothing behind.
To be completely destroyed, often used in disaster contexts for buildings.
The house was completely destroyed by the earthquake.
To be annihilated or wiped out of existence. Used for things disappearing completely.
The tribe was annihilated by war.
To be destroyed or devastated, often for military forces or cities. Implies thorough destruction.
The enemy army was destroyed.
English often uses 'be destroyed' in passive voice, but Japanese prefers intransitive verbs (壊れる, 崩れる) to describe a state change without an agent. Using passive forms like 壊される is correct when emphasizing an agent, but can sound unnatural if overused.
壊れる (kowareru) is intransitive and focuses on the result of being broken. 破壊される (hakai sareru) is the passive of 破壊する and emphasizes the action of destruction by someone/something. Use 壊れる for natural state changes, and 破壊される when the agent is important.
彼の計画はすべて崩れた。
All his plans fell apart.