Translation guide
The English word 'destruction' covers physical breaking, ruining, and abstract collapse. Japanese uses different words depending on what is destroyed and how. This guide organizes the most useful expressions for learners.
To express breaking, smashing, or demolishing a physical object or structure.
General term for destruction, breaking, or demolition of physical objects, buildings, etc. Can be used as a noun or with する to form a verb.
Many buildings were destroyed by the earthquake.
He got angry and smashed the window.
Common verb meaning 'to break' or 'to destroy'. Used for breaking objects, furniture, toys, etc. Transitive.
The child broke the toy.
I accidentally broke the vase.
Verb form of 破壊. Slightly more formal or emphatic than 壊す. Often used for large-scale or deliberate destruction.
The enemy destroyed the bridge.
Pulverization, crushing into powder. Used for rocks, materials, or metaphorically for complete defeat.
The machine crushes rocks into powder.
To express ruining plans, hopes, relationships, or abstract things.
To ruin, spoil, or mess up something abstract like a plan, mood, or event. Very common in daily conversation.
The rain ruined the picnic.
His one remark ruined the atmosphere.
Ruin, downfall, destruction of one's life, career, or future. Stronger and more dramatic than 台無し.
Collapse, breakdown of systems, organizations, relationships. Implies a structural failure.
To refer to destruction in a general, abstract, or large-scale sense.
To describe actions that harm oneself or one's own interests.
Self-destruction, self-ruin. Often used for bringing about one's own downfall through foolish actions.
He destroyed himself through his own mistakes.
Self-detonation, suicide bombing. Also used metaphorically for self-destructive actions that backfire.
壊す is the everyday word for breaking objects. 破壊する is more formal and often implies large-scale or deliberate destruction. Use 壊す for accidentally breaking a cup; use 破壊する for demolishing a building.
I broke my smartphone.
They demolish the old building.
破壊 is not used for abstract things like plans or moods. Use 台無しにする instead. Saying 計画を破壊する sounds unnatural.
The plan was ruined.
Gambling brought about his ruin.
その国は経済の崩壊に直面している。
The country is facing economic collapse.
恐竜の滅亡は謎に包まれている。
The extinction of the dinosaurs is shrouded in mystery.
That remark was a self-destructive act.