Translation guide
How to express the act of completely destroying or tearing down buildings, structures, or abstract things in Japanese.
To express the physical act of demolishing a building, house, wall, etc.
The most common and natural verb for demolishing buildings or structures. Implies intentional dismantling.
We demolished the old house and built a new one.
That building is scheduled to be demolished next month.
Often used for systematic dismantling or deconstruction, especially in technical or official contexts. Can also refer to dismantling machinery.
Work to demolish the aging bridge has begun.
General verb for breaking or destroying. Can be used for demolishing, but is broader and less specific than 取り壊す.
We demolished the wall to make the room bigger.
Means 'destroy' or 'demolish' with a nuance of violent or complete destruction. Often used for large-scale or forceful demolition.
Many buildings were demolished by the earthquake.
To express demolishing someone's argument, theory, hopes, etc. in a debate or discussion.
Specifically means to refute or shoot down someone's argument completely. Common in debates.
He demolished his opponent's arguments one after another.
Literally 'smash to pieces'. Used figuratively for hopes, dreams, or illusions. Can also be used for arguments.
Means 'pulverize' or 'crush'. Figuratively used for completely destroying an opponent or argument, often in political or military contexts.
We demolished the enemy's counterargument.
To express demolishing a plan, system, relationship, etc.
Means to ruin or spoil something, making it useless or worthless. Common for plans, moods, efforts.
The rain demolished our picnic plans.
A more emphatic and colloquial version of 壊す. Often used for ruining plans, atmosphere, or relationships.
Means to cause collapse or breakdown. Used for systems, organizations, relationships.
The scandal demolished the government.
English 'demolish' is often used figuratively (demolish an argument, demolish hopes). In Japanese, direct translations like 破壊する sound unnatural for abstract targets. Use specific verbs like 論破する for arguments, 打ち砕く for hopes, or 台無しにする for plans.
I demolished his dream. (unnatural)
I demolished his dream. (natural)
The news demolished his hopes.
His one remark demolished the atmosphere.