破壊|はかいhakai[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N1approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbdestruction; disruption
    その台風たいふうは多おおくの家いえを破壊はかいした。↗
    The typhoon destroyed many houses.
  2. noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verb, computing(application) crash
Conjugation
Dictionary form破壊する(はかいする)
Polite (masu)破壊します(はかいします)
Negative (nai)破壊しない(はかいしない)
polite (masen)破壊しません(はかいしません)
classical zu / nu破壊せず・破壊せぬ(はかいせず・はかいせぬ)
Past (ta)破壊した(はかいした)
polite (mashita)破壊しました(はかいしました)
Past negative (nakatta)破壊しなかった(はかいしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)破壊しませんでした(はかいしませんでした)
Te form破壊して(はかいして)
Potential破壊できる(はかいできる)
Passive破壊される(はかいされる)
Causative破壊させる(はかいさせる)
Causative passive破壊させられる(はかいさせられる)
Conditional (ba)破壊すれば(はかいすれば)
tara破壊したら(はかいしたら)
Volitional破壊しよう(はかいしよう)
polite (mashou)破壊しましょう(はかいしましょう)
Imperative破壊しろ(はかいしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym壊滅かいめつNeutralBeing utterly wiped out or annihilated, as in 「壊滅的な被害」; 「破壊」 focuses on the act of destroying.
  • Synonym損壊そんかいWrittenWritten/formal prose for damage to buildings and facilities, as in 「家屋の損壊」; 「破壊」 is stronger and can mean outright destruction.
  • Synonym大破たいはNeutralDamage beyond repair, or a crushing defeat of an opponent; 「破壊」 stresses the act of destroying.
  • Related崩壊ほうかいNeutralCollapse of buildings, structures or systems, by outside force or internal causes, as in 「地震で崩壊」「バブル崩壊」; 「破壊」 stresses the act, 「崩壊」 the result.
  • Related倒壊とうかいNeutralThe collapse of houses and buildings, as in 「地震で倒壊」; 「破壊」 covers destruction generally, not just toppling.
  • Related決壊けっかいNeutralThe bursting or breaching of dams and embankments, as in 「堤防の決壊」; 「破壊」 is far broader.
  • Related破砕はさいWrittenWritten/formal prose for crushing rock and the like to pieces, as in 「破砕機」; 「破壊」 is broader.
  • Related粉砕ふんさいNeutralSmashing something to pieces, or figuratively crushing an opponent, as in 「敵を粉砕」; 「破壊」 is broader and does not stress breaking into bits.
  • Related取り壊しとりこわしNeutralThe planned demolition of houses and buildings; 「破壊」 stresses wrecking and often carries a destructive nuance.
  • Related壊すこわすNeutralThe everyday verb for breaking or wrecking things; 「破壊」 leans written/formal and is used as 「破壊する」.
  • Related崩れるくずれるNeutralIntransitive: to crumble, collapse or lose shape; 「破壊」 is the transitive act of destroying.
  • Related壊れるこわれるNeutralIntransitive: for things to break or stop working; 「破壊」 is the transitive act of destroying.
  • Related崩すくずすNeutralTransitive: to pull down, break up or throw into disorder, also to relax one's posture; 「破壊」 stresses destruction.
  • Related毀損きそんWrittenWritten/formal prose for damaging property or defaming reputation, as in 「名誉毀損」; 「破壊」 stresses outright destruction of things or systems.
  • Related割れるわれるNeutralIntransitive: to crack, split or shatter into pieces; 「破壊」 is the transitive act of destroying.
  • Related潰すつぶすNeutralTo crush or flatten things, or to ruin a company; also used for killing time; 「破壊」 is broader.
  • Related解体かいたいNeutralDismantling buildings or machines, or dissolving an organisation; 「破壊」 stresses destruction.
  • Related破損はそんWrittenWritten/formal prose for breakage of equipment and facilities, often 「〜が破損する」; 「破壊」 stresses the act and can also target environments or systems.
  • Relatedぶち壊すぶちこわすCasualColloquial and emphatic: to smash things up or ruin an atmosphere; 「破壊」 leans written/formal.
  • Related毀つこぼつWrittenAn archaic word for destroying or damaging; rare in modern use — say 「壊す」 in everyday speech.
  • Relatedぶっ壊すぶっこわすCasualColloquial with a rough, violent tone: to smash things to bits or botch them; 「破壊」 leans written/formal.
  • Related叩き壊すたたきこわすCasualColloquial: to smash something to pieces by striking it hard; 「破壊」 leans written/formal.
  • Relatedぶっ潰すぶっつぶすCasualColloquial with a rough tone: to smash flat or wipe out plans and companies; 「破壊」 leans written/formal.
  • Related取り潰すとりつぶすNeutralTo dissolve or shut down a household, organisation or company, as in 「お家取り潰し」; 「破壊」 covers wrecking things, environments and systems.
  • Antonym建設けんせつNeutralAntonym on the destroy–build axis: construction, building things up.
  • Antonym構築こうちくNeutralAntonym on the destroy–build axis: erecting or building up systems and frameworks.
  • Antonym修復しゅうふくNeutralAntonym on the destroy–repair axis: restoring damaged things to their original state.
  • Antonym保全ほぜんWrittenAntonym on the destroy–protect axis: preservation and maintenance; written/formal prose.

Use 「破壊」 for destroying physical things, the environment or systems, as in 「環境破壊」; in everyday speech say 「壊す」. For structures collapsing use 「崩壊」, for buildings falling down 「倒壊」, for being wiped out entirely 「壊滅」, and for planned demolition 「取り壊し」. The written/formal damage words 「損壊」「破損」「毀損」 cover harm to property or reputation. Antonyms: 「建設」 and 「修復」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. (ある程度ていど以上いじょうに大おおきいもの、高度こうどに組み立くみたてられたもの、社会しゃかい制度せいどなどを)こわすこと。
  2. こわす、こわれる。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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