Meaning
The kanji 破 (ha, yabu.ru, yabu.reru) is a powerful character encompassing the concepts of 'breaking,' 'destroying,' 'tearing,' and 'defeating.' It's highly versatile, used in various contexts from the literal act of physical breakage to the metaphorical shattering of expectations or overcoming obstacles. This kanji is essential for describing actions that result in a state of being broken or a process of overcoming. It conveys a strong sense of force, rupture, or transgression, making it a key part of Japanese vocabulary.
The structure of 破 offers clear insights into its meaning. On the left, you'll find the radical 石 (ishi), which signifies 'stone.' This element strongly suggests the kanji's original connection to breaking or smashing hard materials like rocks, evoking a primal image of force and disintegration. The presence of the 'stone' radical immediately hints at the kanji's core meaning of breaking. Picture a stone shattering, or something being broken by a stone. The overall structure suggests a forceful action leading to disintegration or rupture. The right side features 皮 (kawa), meaning 'skin' or 'hide,' which serves as the phonetic component, guiding the pronunciation. Interestingly, 皮 itself carries connotations of 'peeling' or 'separating layers,' subtly reinforcing the idea of something being torn apart or broken into pieces. Thus, 破 visually and semantically links the act of breaking with hard substances and the process of separation, suggesting a forceful action that leads to rupture or demolition.
This kanji consists of 10 strokes and is typically introduced to students in the 5th grade of Japanese elementary school. Despite its early introduction, its extensive use in advanced compound words and nuanced expressions makes it an important character for learners aspiring to JLPT N2 proficiency. Its complexity stems more from its diverse applications and idiomatic usages rather than its visual form or stroke order. Understanding its fundamental meaning, combined with its radicals, provides a solid foundation for mastering its various applications.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The On'yomi, or Chinese-derived reading, for 破 is ハ (ha). This reading is predominantly used when 破 is part of a compound word, especially those conveying more abstract or formal concepts. It often suggests ideas of destruction, violation, or breakthrough. Mastering these compounds is essential for understanding sophisticated Japanese vocabulary and for accurately interpreting formal texts, news articles, and academic materials. They frequently appear in discussions about societal changes, economic situations, and personal achievements.
ハ (ha)
破壊 (hakai) — destruction, disruption. This term refers to causing extensive damage or completely dismantling something, whether a physical structure, an environmental system, or a social order. For example, environmental destruction (環境破壊, kankyou hakai) is a common usage. It underscores the total demolition or ruin of something.
破産 (hasan) — bankruptcy. This legal and financial term describes the state where an individual or company cannot repay their debts and is officially declared bankrupt. It indicates a complete financial collapse, often with severe consequences.
突破 (toppa) — breakthrough, penetration, exceeding a limit. This compound implies pushing past a significant barrier, achieving a crucial advance, or surpassing a previous record or obstacle. It can refer to a scientific breakthrough (科学的突破, kagakuteki toppa) or breaking through enemy lines, highlighting a successful overcoming of a challenge.
破片 (hahen) — fragment, splinter, shard. Used to describe small, broken pieces of something, such as glass fragments (ガラスの破片, garasu no hahen) or fragments of a broken pot. It denotes the outcome of something being shattered and its resulting pieces.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi, or native Japanese readings, appear when the kanji stands alone or is combined with okurigana (trailing hiragana characters). These readings typically describe the direct action of breaking or the state of being broken, often with a more tangible or personal implication. You'll frequently encounter them in everyday conversation and literature, describing common actions and states.
やぶ.る (yabu.ru) — This active, transitive verb means 'to break,' 'to tear,' 'to defeat,' or 'to violate (a promise).' It suggests an intentional action or a direct consequence brought about by an agent, focusing on the act of causing something to break. The nuances range from physical destruction to abstract transgressions.
約束を破る (yakusoku o yaburu) — to break a promise. This common phrase means failing to keep one's word or commitment, signaling a breach of trust.
記録を破る (kiroku o yaburu) — to break a record. To surpass a previous achievement, often in sports or academic contexts, it denotes setting a new peak of performance.
敵を破る (teki o yaburu) — to defeat an enemy. This means emerging victorious over an opponent in a battle, game, or argument, signifying triumph.
やぶ.れる (yabu.reru) — This intransitive verb means 'to be broken,' 'to be torn,' or 'to be defeated.' It describes a state or a passive outcome where something has succumbed to external forces or has failed, focusing on the result of breaking rather than the act itself. This form is often used to describe unfortunate situations or unintended consequences.
紙が破れる (kami ga yabureru) — paper gets torn. This describes the physical state of paper being ripped or damaged, often accidentally.
夢が破れる (yume ga yabureru) — a dream is shattered/broken. Used metaphorically when hopes, aspirations, or plans fail to materialize, it indicates disappointment.
試合に破れる (shiai ni yabureru) — to be defeated in a game/match. This means losing in a competition or contest, signifying a loss.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 破 appears in a wide array of essential Japanese vocabulary. It encompasses actions of destruction, the overcoming of challenges, and various states of brokenness. Understanding these compounds is crucial for grasping nuanced meanings and expanding your conversational and reading abilities. These terms are used across many domains, from daily life to business and academia.
Actions of Breaking & Destroying
破壊 (hakai) — destruction, disruption. This term is used when something is thoroughly destroyed, such as the 破壊 of ancient ruins by time.
粉砕 (funsai) — crushing, smashing into powder. Often used metaphorically, such as 敵を粉砕する (teki o funsai suru, to utterly crush an opponent in an argument).
撃破 (gekiha) — defeat, destruction (of an enemy). Refers to the decisive defeat or destruction of an opposing force, like 敵機を撃破する (tekki o gekiha suru, to shoot down an enemy plane in combat).
破棄 (haki) — cancellation, rejection, breaking (a contract). This means discarding or voiding something, such as 契約を破棄する (keiyaku o haki suru, to cancel a contract due to breach).
Overcoming & Breakthrough
突破 (toppa) — breakthrough, penetration, overcoming. This implies successfully pushing through an obstacle or barrier, like 難関を突破する (nankan o toppa suru, to break through a difficult barrier in an exam).
打破 (daha) — breaking down, overcoming. To actively break down or overcome existing conditions or customs, such as 悪習を打破する (akushuu o daha suru, to break down bad habits in society).
読破 (dokuha) — reading through (a long book). This refers to reading an entire book from cover to cover, especially a lengthy one. For example, you might 長編小説を読破する (chouhen shousetsu o dokuha suru, read through a long novel in one sitting).
論破 (ronpa) — refuting an argument, winning a debate. To successfully counter and defeat an argument with logic, as in 相手を論破する (aite o ronpa suru, to refute an opponent in a heated discussion).
States of Brokenness & Financial Distress
破損 (hason) — damage, breakage. Used to describe an item that has been damaged, for instance, 商品の破損 (shouhin no hason, damaged goods during shipment).
破裂 (haretsu) — rupture, burst, explosion. This is the sudden bursting or tearing of something, like a tire 破裂 (taiya haretsu, a tire burst on the highway).
破局 (hakyoku) — catastrophe, disaster, breakup. Often refers to the end of a relationship or a catastrophic conclusion, for instance, 関係の破局 (kankei no hakyoku, the breakup of a long-term relationship).
破格 (hakaku) — extraordinary, exceptional, breaking the rule. Describes something that is unusually good or outside the norm, like a 破格の安値 (hakaku no yasune, an exceptionally low price that defies expectations).
Example Sentences
彼はついに世界記録を破った。
Kare wa tsuini sekai kiroku o yabutta.
He finally broke the world record.
不況の影響で、多くの企業が破産した。
Fukyou no eikyou de, ooku no kigyou ga hasan shita.
Due to the recession, many companies went bankrupt.
試験の合格ラインを突破することができた。
Shiken no goukaku rain o toppa suru koto ga dekita.
I was able to break through (surpass) the passing line for the exam.
彼は一度も約束を破ったことがない。
Kare wa ichido mo yakusoku o yabutta koto ga nai.
He has never once broken a promise.
爆発で窓ガラスが粉々に破砕された。
Bakuhatsu de madogarasu ga konagona ni hasai sareta.
The window glass was shattered into pieces by the explosion.
古い壁紙が破れて、下の壁が見えていた。
Furui kabegami ga yaburete, shita no kabe ga mieteita.
The old wallpaper was torn, and the wall beneath was visible.
その計画は、資金不足のため中止に追い破られた。
Sono keikaku wa, shikin busoku no tame chuushi ni oi yaburareta.
The plan was forced to be abandoned due to lack of funds.
彼の論破によって、議論は終結した。
Kare no ronpa ni yotte, giron wa shuuketsu shita.
The debate concluded due to his refutation.
大きな音がして、風船が破裂した。
Ookina oto ga shite, fuusen ga haretsu shita.
There was a loud sound, and the balloon burst.
彼は困難を打破し、目標を達成した。
Kare wa konnan o daha shi, mokuhyou o tassei shita.
He overcame difficulties and achieved his goal.
Memory Tip
To help remember 破, visualize the radical 石 (stone) on the left. Imagine a forceful act, perhaps someone using a stone to actively break something apart. On the right, the component 皮 (skin/hide) can be seen as something being peeled, ripped, or separated. So, a vivid image is using a "stone" to "rip" or "peel" through a surface, resulting in something being "broken" or "destroyed." This mnemonic highlights both the powerful, destructive aspect and the tearing, separating nature inherent in the kanji's meaning. Think of a stone breaking through a tough hide – a clear depiction of breaking or penetrating. Another way to internalize it is to imagine a rock breaking the skin of something, leading to its destruction or a breakthrough.