Translation guide
The English word "smash" covers a wide range of actions and meanings, from breaking things violently to hitting something hard, crushing, or even succeeding greatly. Japanese uses different verbs and expressions depending on what is being smashed and how.
To destroy something by hitting it hard so it shatters or breaks apart.
Literally 'make into powder/pieces'. The most direct way to say smash something to bits.
He smashed the window in anger.
To smash by striking, often used for breaking doors, windows, or objects with a forceful hit.
The firefighter smashed the door down and went inside.
To smash or destroy by hitting, somewhat literary or formal.
The rioters smashed the store displays.
To strike something or someone very hard, often causing damage or a loud impact.
To smash something against something else with force. Often used when you throw or swing something into another object.
He smashed his racket against the ground.
To smash or strike against something, often with a swinging motion. Can be used for waves smashing against rocks, etc.
To hit hard, often used in sports or formal contexts. Can mean 'smash' in tennis or baseball.
He smashed the ball.
To press or squeeze something so hard that it loses its shape or is destroyed.
To crush by pressing from above or from all sides. Good for smashing a can, a bug, or something flat.
He smashed the empty can with his foot.
General word for crushing, mashing, or smashing something out of shape. Also used for ruining plans or faces (figuratively).
Colloquial phrase meaning to smash completely flat. Often used for things like boxes or hats.
I smashed the box flat and threw it away.
To beat an opponent thoroughly, or to ruin hopes, records, etc.
To defeat soundly, to smash the opposition. Common in sports and competitions.
Our team completely smashed the opponents.
Literally 'pulverize', used figuratively for smashing hopes, plans, or enemies.
The news smashed his hopes.
To beat someone up or defeat them utterly; a bit rough or colloquial.
To be a huge success, to break records.
To crash violently into something.
The loanword スマッシュ (sumasshu) is mainly used in sports (tennis smash, badminton smash) or as part of compound terms like スマッシュヒット (smash hit). It is not used for breaking things or crushing.
粉々にする focuses on breaking into many small pieces (like glass), while 潰す focuses on flattening or crushing out of shape (like a can or garlic). Choose based on the result.
Huge waves were smashing against the rocks.
Smash the garlic with the flat side of a knife.
He smashed his opponent in the ring.
トラックが店に突っ込んだ。
A truck smashed into the store.