1.
to tear, to rip
To pull apart or damage by force.
紙を破る。
To tear paper.
袋を破る。
To tear open a bag.
封筒を破って開けた。
I tore open the envelope.
壁を破る。
To break through a wall.
服を破ってしまった。
I accidentally tore my clothes.
2.
to break, to violate
To fail to observe a rule or promise.
約束を破る。
To break a promise.
法律を破る。
To break the law.
記録を破った。
I broke the record.
沈黙を破る。
To break the silence.
ルールを破る。
To break the rules.
3.
to defeat
To beat an opponent.
相手チームを破る。
To defeat the opposing team.
強敵を破った。
I defeated a strong opponent.
チャンピオンを破る。
To defeat the champion.
決勝で破った。
I defeated them in the final.
3対1で破った。
We defeated them 3 to 1.
破る is a transitive godan verb with three related meanings: tear, break/violate, and defeat.
TRANSITIVITY:
- 破る (他動詞): to tear/break/defeat
- 破れる (自動詞): to be torn; to lose (a match)
SENSE 1 - TEAR:
- 紙を破る: tear paper
- 封筒を破る: tear open an envelope
SENSE 2 - BREAK/VIOLATE:
- 約束を破る: break a promise
- 記録を破る: break a record
- 沈黙を破る: break the silence
- 法律を破る: break the law
SENSE 3 - DEFEAT:
- 相手を破る: defeat an opponent
- 3対1で破る: defeat 3 to 1