Translation guide
The English word 'breaker' has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: a large wave, a circuit breaker, and a person or thing that breaks something.
Referring to a wave that breaks into foam on the shore or rocks.
A wave that breaks, often used in poetic or descriptive contexts.
Breakers are hitting the rocks.
An electrical safety device that interrupts the flow of current.
Someone or something that breaks objects, rules, records, etc.
Japanese often forms agent nouns by combining a verb stem with a noun. For 'breaker' in the sense of one who breaks something, use ～破り (for abstract things like rules, records) or ～壊し (for physical breaking).
The loanword ブレーカー only refers to an electrical circuit breaker. For a breaking wave, use 砕け波 or a descriptive phrase.
Intended: I can see breakers in the sea. (Incorrect)
The crest of a wave, often used when it's breaking. More literary.
White breakers are rising.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'breaking wave'. More straightforward than 砕け波.
I can hear the sound of breakers on the shore.
The standard loanword for an electrical circuit breaker in a home or building.
The breaker tripped.
Please flip the breaker back on.
Technical term for a circuit breaker, used in engineering contexts.
This breaker is for high voltage.
record breaker
rule breaker
machine breaker (someone who breaks machines)
A formal term for 'destroyer' or 'breaker', often used in serious contexts.
He is a breaker of order.
In many cases, it's more natural to describe the action rather than use a noun like 'breaker'. For example, 'He is a breaker of promises' becomes 'He often breaks promises'.
He often breaks promises. (He is a promise breaker.)
◯ 海に砕け波が見える。
I can see breakers in the sea.