Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
つんざく Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
godan verb (-ku), transitive verb
pierce ; split ; rend
usually written using kana alone
Describes a sharp, violent action that tears or splits something apart, often used for loud sounds that seem to pierce the air or for physically breaking something open. Common in literary or dramatic contexts.
彼かの 女じょ の 悲ひ 鳴めい が 夜よる の 闇やみ を つんざい た 。
Her scream pierced the darkness of the night.
Written forms つんざく Usage 94%
Usually written in kana; the kanji forms 劈く and 擘く are rare.
劈つんざ く Usage 6%
Rare kanji form; 劈 means 'split' or 'cleave'.
擘つんざ く
rarely-used kanji form
Very rare kanji form; 擘 means 'tear' or 'split'.
Similar words 裂さ く 裂く is a common word for tearing or splitting something, while つんざく is more intense, literary, and often used for sounds or dramatic ruptures.
破やぶ る 破る means to tear or break something like paper or a promise; つんざく implies a more violent, piercing action.
Etymology The origin is uncertain. It may be a compound of an onomatopoeic element つん (sharp, piercing) and 裂く (さく, to tear), but the exact derivation is unclear.
