破る|やぶるyaburu[2]nakadaka (mid-high)

1. godan verb, transitive verbto tear; to rip; to break; to destroy
   だれがこの封筒ふうとうを破やぶって開あけたのか。↗

   Who has torn the envelope open?
2. godan verb, transitive verbto break through (cordon, opponent's defense, etc.); to breach
3. godan verb, transitive verbto defeat; to beat
4. godan verb, transitive verbto break (e.g. silence); to disturb (e.g. peace); to shatter (e.g. dream); to disrupt; to spoil
5. godan verb, transitive verbto violate (e.g. rule); to break (e.g. promise); to infringe
   約束やくそくを破やぶらないでよ。↗

   Don't go back on your promise.
6. godan verb, transitive verbto break (a record)

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

• Synonym裂くさくNeutralTears or splits something apart, and can mean forcibly separating lovers; 「破る」 also covers breaking records, violating promises, and beating opponents.
• Synonym引き裂くひきさくNeutralStresses tearing apart with force or forcibly splitting people up, as in 「手紙を引き裂く」; 「破る」 is broader, also covering broken promises and victories.
• Synonym撃破げきはNeutralNoun for crushing enemy forces, also common in games; 「破る」 is more everyday.
• Synonym打ち破るうちやぶるNeutralBreaking through or defeating, as in 「強敵を打ち破る」; 「破る」 is broader.
• Synonym破くやぶくCasualColloquial: tearing paper, cloth, plastic bags and the like; 「破る」 also means breaking promises, records, and defeating opponents.
• Synonym引き破るひきやぶるNeutralRipping something apart with force; in everyday speech 「破る」 is the usual word.
• Synonym打っ裂くぶっさくCasualCoarse colloquial word for tearing something apart violently; use 「破る」 in daily speech.
• Related大破たいはNeutralSerious, unrepairable damage or a crushing victory over an opponent; 「破る」 is more everyday.
• Related壊すこわすNeutralBreaking or ruining things, including one's health; 「破る」 centers on tearing and breaking through.
• Related損壊そんかいWrittenFormal legal term for damage to buildings or property, as in 「器物損壊」.
• Related割るわるNeutralSmashing or splitting hard things, and also used for division in math; 「破る」 focuses on tearing thin things.
• Related粉砕ふんさいNeutralPulverizing or crushing utterly, as in 「敵を粉砕する」; 「破る」 is milder in degree.
• Related毀損きそんWrittenFormal written word for damaging things or harming someone's reputation, as in 「名誉毀損」.
• Related裂けるさけるNeutralIntransitive: something splits or tears open; 「破る」 is transitive, for actively tearing something.
• Related打ち壊すうちこわすNeutralSmashing things to pieces or overthrowing systems and customs; 「破る」 centers on tearing and breaking through.
• Relatedぶち壊すぶちこわすCasualColloquial: smashing things up or ruining plans and atmospheres; 「破る」 centers on tearing and breaking through.
• Relatedなぎ倒すなぎたおすNeutralMows opponents down, as in 「敵をなぎ倒す」; 「破る」 focuses on defeating them.
• Related打ち倒すうちたおすNeutralKnocking an opponent down or beating them; close to the defeat sense of 「破る」.
• Related打ち割るうちわるNeutralSplitting something by striking, or speaking frankly; 「破る」 focuses on tearing.
• Related叩き壊すたたきこわすCasualColloquial: smashing something to pieces by hitting it; 「破る」 focuses on tearing.
• Antonym守るまもるNeutralAntonym on the promise front: to keep promises and protect, the opposite of 「破る」.
• Antonym繕うつくろうNeutralAntonym on the mending side: to sew or patch up damage, the reverse of 「破る」.
• Antonym直すなおすNeutralAntonym on the repair side: to fix and correct, the reverse of 「破る」.

「破る」 is the default for tearing, breaking records, breaking promises, and beating opponents. For tearing with force you can also say 「裂く」, or colloquially 「破く」; use 「壊す」 for breaking things and 「割る」 for smashing hard ones. The main antonyms are 「守る」 and 「直す」.

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

1. （他動詞たどうし）薄うすいものを部分的ぶぶんてきにまたは完全かんぜんに分断ぶんだんする。
2. （他動詞たどうし）身体しんたいの健康けんこうを損そこなう。
3. （他動詞たどうし）障害しょうがいを突破とっぱする。
4. （他動詞たどうし）平穏へいおんな状況じょうきょうや安定あんていした状況じょうきょうを突然とつぜん乱みだす。
5. （他動詞たどうし）守まもるべきことに反はんする。
6. （他動詞たどうし）スポーツなどの競争きょうそうし合あう記録きろくを上回うわまわる。
7. （他動詞たどうし）打ち負うちまかす。