Meaning
The N1 kanji 崩 describes something falling apart, crumbling, or collapsing. It represents concepts like disintegration, breakdown, and ruin. Imagine a sandcastle dissolving into the waves, a building caving in after an earthquake, or even a long-standing system failing under pressure. All these situations are captured by 崩.
This kanji visually combines two elements. On the left is the radical 山, meaning "mountain." The right side features the phonetic component 朋. While 朋 typically means "friend," it's often interpreted here as two 月 (moon/month) characters placed side-by-side.
One common visual interpretation suggests a mountain (山) gradually deteriorating or collapsing, perhaps "month by month" or "day by day," as implied by the two moons/months symbolizing the passage of time. Another perspective connects 朋 to a sense of 'being paired' or 'connected.' When a mountain, a symbol of stability, loses these connections or its integrity, it collapses.
Regardless of the exact interpretation, the core idea remains: a strong, stable entity like a mountain losing its form. This isn't just a simple fall; it’s a process where something unravels from its inherent structure.
This kanji has 11 strokes. As an N1 character, it isn't taught in elementary school and signifies advanced usage in Japanese. You'll encounter 崩 in discussions about natural disasters, structural failures, financial crises, or even emotional breakdowns.
Readings
The kanji 崩 has both On'yomi (Chinese-derived) and Kun'yomi (native Japanese) readings. Each is used in different contexts to convey its meaning of collapse or breakdown.
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary On'yomi for 崩 is ホウ (HOU). This reading typically appears in compound words, often with other kanji of Chinese origin. It forms more formal or technical terms related to destruction, ruin, or the breaking down of systems and structures. Words using ホウ frequently carry a more profound or severe connotation than their Kun'yomi counterparts. You'll often see them in news reports, academic texts, or when discussing significant events.
崩壊 (houkai) — collapse, ruin, disintegration. This is a very common word, used for the collapse of buildings, economies, or even social structures.
経済崩壊 (keizai houkai) — economic collapse
文明崩壊 (bunmei houkai) — collapse of civilization
崩御 (hougyo) — (an emperor's) demise, death. This is an extremely formal and respectful term used specifically for the death of an emperor or empress, signifying the end of a reign.
天皇崩御 (tennou hougyo) — the Emperor's demise
崩落 (houraku) — collapse, cave-in (e.g., of a tunnel, cliff). Similar to 崩壊, but often refers specifically to a physical collapse or fall from a height.
山崩落 (yama houraku) — mountain collapse
崖崩落 (gake houraku) — cliff collapse
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi readings are more descriptive and frequently appear as part of verbs. They allow for nuanced expression in everyday Japanese, distinguishing between transitive and intransitive actions related to crumbling or breaking apart.
くず-れる (kuzu-reru) — This is an intransitive verb. It means "to crumble," "to collapse (by itself)," or "to fall apart." It describes a state where something loses its shape or integrity without an external agent directly causing it.
土砂崩れ (dosha-kuzure) — landslide, mudslide (where earth and sand collapse)
形が崩れる (katachi ga kuzureru) — to lose shape, to fall out of shape
くず-す (kuzu-su) — This is a transitive verb. It means "to break down," "to destroy (something's shape)," "to ruin," or "to upset (e.g., one's posture)." This implies an action taken by someone or something to cause another thing to collapse or lose its form.
姿勢を崩す (shisei o kuzusu) — to slouch, to break one's posture
計画を崩す (keikaku o kuzusu) — to disrupt a plan
お札を崩す (osatsu o kuzusu) — to break a bill (get change for it)
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 崩 appears in various compounds and verb forms. It describes everything from physical disintegration to abstract breakdowns. Here are some key words and phrases featuring 崩, categorized by common usage.
Physical & Environmental Collapse
- 崩壊 (houkai) — collapse, ruin, disintegration. This broad term is used for buildings, structures, or even systems.
- 崩落 (houraku) — collapse, cave-in. This refers specifically to a downward fall or caving in, often of cliffs, tunnels, or mining shafts.
- 山崩れ (yamakuzure) — landslide, mudslide. A specific natural disaster where part of a mountain or hillside collapses.
- 崖崩れ (gakekuzure) — cliff collapse, rockfall. Similar to a landslide but referring to steep cliff faces.
- 雪崩 (nadare) — avalanche. An irregular reading where 崩 itself denotes an avalanche, commonly seen as 雪崩.
- 土砂崩れ (dosha-kuzure) — landslide, mudslide. A more detailed term for 山崩れ, emphasizing earth and sand.
Abstract & Systemic Breakdown
- 崩御 (hougyo) — (an emperor's) demise, death. A highly formal and respectful term for the death of royalty.
- 均衡が崩れる (kinkou ga kuzureru) — for a balance or equilibrium to break down or be upset.
- 秩序が崩れる (chitsujo ga kuzureru) — for order to break down, to fall into disorder.
- 計画を崩す (keikaku o kuzusu) — to disrupt or change a plan.
Everyday Actions & States
- 姿勢を崩す (shisei o kuzusu) — to slouch, to break one's posture.
- 体調を崩す (taichou o kuzusu) — to fall ill, to get sick (literally, "to break one's physical condition").
- お札を崩す (osatsu o kuzusu) — to break a bill, to get change for paper money.
- 形が崩れる (katachi ga kuzureru) — to lose shape, to fall out of shape (e.g., a cake, a hairstyle).
Example Sentences
古い建物が地震で崩壊した。
Furui tatemono ga jishin de houkai shita.
The old building collapsed due to the earthquake.
山道で土砂崩れが発生し、通行止めになった。
Sandou de doshakuzure ga hassei shi, tsuukoudome ni natta.
A landslide occurred on the mountain road, closing it off.
長年の努力が実らず、彼の夢はあっけなく崩れ去った。
Naganen no doryoku ga minorazu, kare no yume wa akkenaku kuzuresatta.
His long years of effort bore no fruit, and his dream easily crumbled away.
疲れているときは、つい姿勢を崩してしまいがちだ。
Tsukareteiru toki wa, tsui shisei o kuzushite shimai gachi da.
When you're tired, you tend to slouch or break your posture.
強風により、建築中の足場が崩落する事故があった。
Kyoufuu ni yori, kenchikuchuu no ashida ga houraku suru jiko ga atta.
Due to strong winds, the scaffolding under construction collapsed in an accident.
インフレで経済の均衡が崩れつつある。
Infure de keizai no kinkou ga kuzuretsutsu aru.
The economic balance is starting to break down due to inflation.
この計画を崩すわけにはいかないので、慎重に進める必要がある。
Kono keikaku o kuzusu wake ni wa ikanai node, shinchou ni susumeru hitsuyou ga aru.
We cannot disrupt this plan, so we need to proceed carefully.
天皇が崩御されると、日本中が深い悲しみに包まれた。
Tennou ga hougyo sareru to, Nihonjuu ga fukai kanashimi ni tsutsumareta.
When the Emperor passed away, all of Japan was enveloped in deep sorrow.
パンの形が崩れないように、ゆっくりと運んでください。
Pan no katachi ga kuzurenai you ni, yukkuri to hakonde kudasai.
Please carry the bread gently so its shape doesn't get ruined.
両国間の信頼関係が崩れ、外交は困難になった。
Ryoukokukan no shinrai kankei ga kuzure, gaikou wa konnan ni natta.
The trust between the two countries broke down, making diplomacy difficult.
Memory Tip
To remember 崩, think about its components: the 山 radical on the left, meaning "mountain," and the right side, which looks like two 月 (moon/month) characters stacked vertically. Imagine a sturdy mountain (山) that, over many months (月月), slowly erodes and breaks apart. The consistent passage of time, symbolized by the "months" or "moons," gradually causes the mountain to crumble and collapse. This visual story of a mountain breaking down "month by month" helps connect the stable image of a mountain with its eventual disintegration, capturing the meaning of "collapse" or "crumble."