Translation guide
To tear something into pieces, often forcefully or completely.
To destroy paper, cloth, or similar material by pulling it apart into pieces.
General verb for tearing or ripping something, such as paper or cloth. Can imply tearing into pieces or just tearing once.
To pull something out of the ground or from a surface, often destroying it in the process.
To end an agreement, contract, or plan abruptly.
The English 'rip up' can be literal (tearing paper) or figurative (canceling a contract). In Japanese, different verbs are used for each. Do not use 破る for canceling a contract; use 破棄する instead.
He ripped up the letter.
To tear apart forcefully, often with hands. Emphasizes the action of pulling apart.
彼女は布を引き裂いた。
She ripped up the cloth.
To tear into shreds or tatters. Emphasizes the result of being completely ripped up.
怒って書類をずたずたに破った。
He angrily ripped up the documents into shreds.
To pull out or uproot something, like plants or nails. Implies removing with force.
雑草を引き抜いた。
I ripped up the weeds.
To peel or tear off something attached to a surface, like wallpaper or a sticker.
壁紙をはがした。
I ripped up the wallpaper.
To treat something as void or nullify, often used for promises or plans. Literally 'make into wastepaper'.
約束を反故にした。
He ripped up his promise.