1.
to break, to destroy
To damage something so it no longer works or is no longer intact. The transitive form—someone breaks something.
窓を壊してしまった。
I accidentally broke the window.
てしまう indicates regret
古い建物を壊す。
Demolish an old building.
おもちゃ}を{壊した。
I broke the toy.
パソコン}を{壊してしまった。
I accidentally broke the computer.
壁を壊す工事が始まった。
Construction to demolish the wall has started.
2.
to ruin, to upset
To damage something abstract like health, atmosphere, or relationships.
体を壊さないように気をつけて。
Be careful not to ruin your health.
体を壊す = ruin one's health
お腹を壊して会社を休んだ。
I took a day off work because I had an upset stomach.
お腹を壊す = upset one's stomach
雰囲気を壊すようなことは言わないで。
Don't say anything that would ruin the atmosphere.
関係を壊さないで。
Don't ruin the relationship.
計画を壊された。
My plans were ruined.
TRANSITIVITY: 他動詞 (transitive). Pair: 壊れる (intransitive, to break). Pattern: Xを壊す (break X).
ASPECT: ている indicates completed action with result. 壊している = 'has broken' or 'is breaking.'
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 機械を壊す (break a machine)
- 建物を壊す (demolish a building)
- 体を壊す (ruin one's health)
- 雰囲気を壊す (ruin the atmosphere)
- お腹を壊す (upset one's stomach)
CONTRAST:
- 壊す (transitive): (someone) breaks X
- 壊れる (intransitive): X breaks/is broken
REGISTER: Neutral.
Related Words
Pair verb:
壊れる (intransitive, to break)