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.
地震で多くの建物が破壊された。
Many buildings were destroyed by the earthquake.
彼は怒って窓を破壊した。
He got angry and smashed the window.
Common verb meaning 'to break' or 'to destroy'. Used for breaking objects, furniture, toys, etc. Transitive.
子供がおもちゃを壊した。
The child broke the toy.
うっかりして花瓶を壊してしまった。
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.
敵は橋を破壊した。
The enemy destroyed the bridge.
Pulverization, crushing into powder. Used for rocks, materials, or metaphorically for complete defeat.
機械が岩を粉砕する。
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.
雨でピクニックが台無しになった。
The rain ruined the picnic.
彼の一言で雰囲気が台無しになった。
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.
Also used for the abstract concept of destruction, such as in philosophy, war, or environmental contexts.
戦争は大量破壊をもたらす。
War brings mass destruction.
Extinction, annihilation, downfall of a nation or species. Very strong word.
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.
彼は自分の過ちで自滅した。
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.
スマホを壊した。
I broke my smartphone.
古いビルを破壊する。
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.
計画が台無しになった。
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.