Meaning
The N1 kanji 砕 primarily means 'to smash,' 'to break,' 'to crush,' or 'to shatter.' It describes a forceful action that reduces something to smaller pieces or completely destroys it. For instance, you might think of breaking a solid object like ice or stone into fragments, or metaphorically shattering hopes and dreams. This kanji effectively describes both physical destruction and abstract disappointment.
Regarding its origin, the kanji 砕 is a semantic-phonetic compound. The left-hand radical, 石 (ishi), clearly indicates the semantic field of 'stone.' This suggests the action involves hard materials, like stone, or produces fragments that resemble broken stone. The right-hand component is 卒 (sotsu), which itself means 'sudden,' 'finish,' or 'soldier.' In 砕, 卒 primarily serves as a phonetic component, giving the 'sotsu' sound that relates to its on'yomi 'SAI'.
However, 卒 also subtly contributes to the meaning. It implies a 'sudden' or 'complete' end, aligning with the idea of something being abruptly shattered or finished. Visualizing a 'stone' (石) causing a 'sudden' (卒) breakage helps solidify the connection between the kanji's shape and its meaning.
This kanji has 13 strokes. While not officially assigned a specific grade level in the Japanese school system, its inclusion in the JLPT N1 syllabus signifies its advanced usage and importance for fluency.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi reading for 砕 is サイ (SAI). This reading is typically used in more formal, academic, or technical compound words. These often describe a specific process of crushing or pulverization.
- 粉砕 (funsai) — pulverization, crushing into powder. This term is frequently used in industrial or scientific contexts, such as pulverizing ore or crushing plastic waste.
- 破砕 (hasai) — crushing, breaking up. Similar to 粉砕, but can imply a broader range of breaking actions, often used for demolishing old buildings or crushing rocks for recycling.
- 撃砕 (gekisai) — smashing, crushing (especially an enemy or an opposing force). This term carries a more aggressive connotation, implying a decisive defeat or destruction, for example, 敵を撃砕する (teki o gekisai suru) - to smash the enemy.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi readings are deeply rooted in native Japanese vocabulary. They are often encountered as verbs, either transitive or intransitive.
くだ.く (kudaku) — This is the transitive verb form, meaning 'to break,' 'to crush,' or 'to smash' something. You are actively performing the action on an object.
氷を砕く (koori o kudaku) — to break ice (e.g., for drinks).
夢を砕く (yume o kudaku) — to crush a dream (a metaphorical usage).
努力を砕く (doryoku o kudaku) — to exert oneself to the utmost, to put in a lot of effort (literally 'to break one's effort' – an idiom).
くだ.ける (kudakeru) — This is the intransitive verb form, meaning 'to be broken,' 'to shatter,' or 'to be crushed.' The object itself is undergoing the action, or the action happens to it.
ガラスが砕ける (garasu ga kudakeru) — glass shatters.
心が砕ける (kokoro ga kudakeru) — one's heart breaks (a common emotional expression).
希望が砕ける (kibou ga kudakeru) — hopes are shattered.
Common Words & Compounds
Below are additional common words and compounds using 砕, grouped by context:
Physical Breaking & Material Processing:
- 砕石 (saiseki) — crushed stone, aggregate. This is essential in construction for roads and concrete foundations.
- 砕氷船 (saihyōsen) — an icebreaker ship. This type of vessel is specifically designed to break through ice-covered waters.
- 砕片 (saihen) — fragment, splinter. This refers to small, broken pieces of something.
- 打ち砕く (uchikudaku) — to smash, to break into pieces. This verb emphasizes the forceful action of hitting and breaking.
Metaphorical & Emotional Breaking:
- 砕心 (saishin) — literally 'broken heart,' deep sorrow. This is often used in literary contexts to express profound grief.
- 粉骨砕身 (funkotsusaishin) — working one's fingers to the bone, putting one's utmost effort. This idiom literally means to crush one's bones and body (in effort).
- 木っ端微塵 (koppamijin) — fragments, smithereens. When used with 砕ける (kudakeru), as in 木っ端微塵に砕ける, it means "to shatter into a million tiny pieces," describing complete destruction.
Descriptive & Action-Oriented:
- 砕け散る (kudakechiru) — to shatter and scatter. This describes something breaking apart and spreading out in all directions.
- 砕けやすい (kudakeyasui) — easily broken, fragile. This adjective describes something susceptible to breaking.
- 砕けた (kudaketa) — informal, relaxed, frank. An interesting application of
砕けたimplies that formality or stiffness has been 'broken down' or 'shattered,' leading to a more casual atmosphere or speech.
Example Sentences
波が岩に打ち寄せて砕ける音が聞こえる。
Nami ga iwa ni uchiyosete kudakeru oto ga kikoeru.
I can hear the sound of waves breaking against the rocks.
その事件で彼の全ての希望が砕け散った。
Sono jiken de kare no subete no kibou ga kudakechitta.
All his hopes were shattered by that incident.
バーテンダーは氷を細かく砕いて、グラスに入れた。
Bātendā wa koori o komakaku kudaite, gurasu ni ireta.
The bartender crushed the ice into small pieces and put it in the glass.
長年の夢が砕けるのは、とても辛いことです。
Naganen no yume ga kudakeru no wa, totemo tsurai koto desu.
It is very painful when a long-held dream is crushed.
彼らは敵の攻撃を粉砕し、勝利を収めた。
Karera wa teki no kougeki o funsai shi, shouri o osameta.
They crushed the enemy's attack and achieved victory.
その古い建物は解体され、瓦礫が破砕された。
Sono furui tatemono wa kaitai sare, gareki ga hasai sareta.
The old building was demolished, and the rubble was crushed.
こんなに頑張ったのに、努力が水泡に帰して心が砕けそうです。
Konna ni ganbatta noni, doryoku ga suihou ni kishite kokoro ga kudakesou desu.
Even though I tried so hard, my efforts came to nothing, and my heart feels like breaking.
もっと砕けた言い方で説明していただけませんか。
Motto kudaketa iikata de setsumei shite itadakemasen ka?
Could you explain it in a more informal/relaxed way?
彼女の純粋な気持ちが踏みにじられて砕けてしまった。
Kanojo no junsuina kimochi ga fuminijirarete kudakete shimatta.
Her pure feelings were trampled and shattered.
Memory Tip
To remember 砕, consider its components: 石 (ishi), meaning 'stone,' and 卒 (sotsu), which can imply 'sudden' or 'end.' Imagine a stone (石) being used to suddenly (卒) smash something into tiny pieces. Picture yourself holding a stone and bringing it down with force, making a sudden impact that causes something to break and scatter. The stone is the agent, and the 'sudden end' of the object is the result. This vivid image of a stone causing abrupt breakage can reinforce both its meaning of 'smash' or 'crush' and its visual composition.