also: ずだずだ
to pieces; into shreds; torn apart
Describes something being cut, torn, or broken into many small pieces, often with a sense of violence or thoroughness. Used adverbially or as a na-adjective.
紙をズタズタに破いた。
I tore the paper into shreds.
彼の服はズタズタだった。
His clothes were in tatters.
Katakana spelling is common for this onomatopoeic word; usually written in kana.
Hiragana spelling, also common.
Rarely used kanji form.
The exact derivation is uncertain; it is a mimetic word evoking the sound or image of something being cut or torn repeatedly.