Translation guide
The English word 'breaking' can refer to physical destruction, interruption, violation of rules, or the start of something new. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression based on the intended meaning.
To break something into pieces, smash, or destroy physically.
He broke the window.
To break something brittle like glass, eggs, or plates. Transitive.
Please break the egg.
To break something long and thin, like a stick or bone. Transitive.
Don't break the branch.
Formal or large-scale destruction, like demolishing a building.
They demolished the old building.
To break a continuous action, record, or state.
To break a law, rule, or agreement.
The beginning or emergence of something, like news or dawn.
To stop a habit or pattern.
壊す is general breaking/destroying. 割る is for brittle objects like glass or eggs. 折る is for long, thin objects like sticks or bones. Choose based on the object's material and shape.
I broke the vase. (general)
I broke the cup. (brittle)
I broke the pencil. (long and thin)
For breaking rules, promises, or records, use 破る (やぶる), not 壊す. 壊す implies physical destruction.
break a record
He broke the traffic rules.
彼は罪を犯した。
He committed a crime.
夜明け前に出発した。
We left before daybreak.
I broke the habit of smoking.