godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
Physical destruction: tearing paper, ripping cloth, breaking a physical object.
彼は手紙を破って捨てた。
He tore up the letter and threw it away.
I accidentally tore a page of the book.
godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
Breaking through a physical or metaphorical barrier: a cordon, defense line, siege, etc.
警察の包囲を破って逃げた。
They broke through the police cordon and escaped.
敵の防御線を破る作戦を立てた。
They devised a plan to breach the enemy's defensive line.
godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
Defeating an opponent in a match, game, or contest.
強豪チームを破って優勝した。
They beat the strong team and won the championship.
彼は世界チャンピオンを破った。
He defeated the world champion.
godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
break; disturb; shatter; disrupt; spoil
Breaking an intangible state: silence, peace, dream, atmosphere, etc.
突然の電話が静けさを破った。
A sudden phone call broke the silence.
そのニュースは彼の夢を破った。
The news shattered his dream.
godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
Breaking a rule, promise, law, or agreement.
彼は交通ルールを破って罰金を払った。
He broke a traffic rule and paid a fine.
約束を破るようなことはしないでほしい。
I hope you won't break your promise.
godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
break a record
Surpassing a previous record in sports, measurements, etc.
彼は100メートル走で世界記録を破った。
He broke the world record in the 100-meter dash.