How to say "shatter" in Japanese

• 砕くくだくJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe common, general choice: it says that something is broken up into pieces, whether by smashing, crushing, or shattering. It is the default when you mean 'break to pieces', as in smashing a cup.
  ピックは硬かたい地表ちひょうを砕くだくために用もちいられる長ながい取っ手とっての道具どうぐだ。↗

  A pick is a long handled tool used for breaking up hard ground surfaces.
• 打ち砕くうちくだく
  godan verb, transitive verbMuch the same senses as 砕く, but with an added nuance of striking: it pictures something being smashed to pieces by heavy blows. Less common than 砕く, it carries a violent, forceful image.
  思おもいがけない事故じこで彼かれの成功せいこうへの夢ゆめは打ち砕うちくだかれてしまった。↗

  The accident destroyed all his hopes for success.
• 叩き壊すたたきこわす
  godan verbPrimarily 'tear down': it destroys something by striking it, as when breaking down a door or wall. Its 'shatter' sense is secondary, so it is seldom the word you want for shattering.
  彼かれは椅子いすを叩き壊たたきこわして薪たきぎにした。↗

  He broke up the chair for firewood.

For 'shatter', 「砕く」 is the common, all-purpose verb; 「打ち砕く」 adds an image of smashing by forceful blows; 「叩き壊す」 really means tearing something down by hitting it, so it is seldom the right choice.

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

• 砕くくだくto break (into pieces)
• 打ち砕くうちくだくto smash
• 叩き壊すたたきこわすto tear down
• 破るやぶるto break (e.g. silence)