How to say "rupture" in Japanese

• バーストCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers the physical sense of rupture, as when a tire, pipe, or similar container bursts or blows out. Often felt as a loanword alternative to 破裂 in such contexts.
• 破裂はれつJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe core word for physical rupture or bursting of things like pipes, blood vessels, or balloons, and by extension explosions. This is usually the default choice for a literal rupture.
  水みず道管どうかんが凍こおって破裂はれつしたんです。↗

  The water pipes froze and then burst.
• 決裂けつれつCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbUsed for the figurative rupture of talks, negotiations, or diplomatic relations breaking down completely. Choose this when a discussion or deal collapses rather than a physical object.
  交渉こうしょうの決裂けつれつは戦争せんそうを引き起ひきおこすことになるだろう。↗

  A breakdown in the negotiations will mean war.
• 絶交ぜっこうCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbMeans a permanent breach or breaking off of a friendship or personal relationship. For 'rupture' in this interpersonal sense it fits, but it is not the word for physical or negotiation contexts.
  彼かれは全すべての親類しんるいと絶交ぜっこうした。↗

  He broke with all his relatives.
• 決壊けっかいCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbSpecifically the bursting or breaching of a dam, embankment, levee, or similar structure, with water breaking through. Use it only for this kind of structural collapse, not for rupture in general.
  大雨おおあめのためにダムが決壊けっかいした。↗

  The dam burst owing to the heavy rain.

Use 破裂 for physical bursting, 「バースト」 for tires/pipes, 決壊 for dams and embankments, 決裂 for breakdown of talks or negotiations, and 絶交 for breaking off a friendship or relationship.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• バーストburst (tire, pipe, etc.)
• 破裂はれつbursting
• 決裂けつれつbreakdown (of talks, negotiations, etc.)
• 絶交ぜっこうbreaking off a relationship
• 決壊けっかいburst (e.g. dam, embankment, levee)
• 破断はだんrupture
• 突出とっしゅつrupture (e.g. of gas)
• 不調ふちょうfailure
• 断絶だんぜつseverance (e.g. of relations)