Japanese word

破る

Pronunciation

Romajiyaburu

Meaning

  • verbbreak, tear

Example

約束を破りません。yaku soku o yabu ri ma se n

I do not break promises.

Illustration for 破る (break)

More examples

紙を破ります。kami o yabu ri ma su

I tear the paper.

彼女の一言が、長い沈黙を破りました。kano jo no hito koto ga naga i chin moku o yabu ri ma shi ta

Her words broke the long silence.

Core concept

Describes damaging or violating something that should remain intact, such as a physical object, a promise, or a rule.

Common phrases

  • 約束を破るyaku soku o yabu ru

    break a promise

  • ルールを破るrū ru o yabu ru

    break a rule

  • 沈黙を破るchin moku o yabu ru

    break the silence

Similar words

破くyabuku: To tear something open or into pieces by pulling or ripping it.
違反するihansuru: To fail to follow a rule, law, or agreement.
背くsomuku: To go against a person's wishes, a command, or a guiding principle.

Definition in Japanese

物を裂いたり壊したり、約束や規則などを守らずに反したりする。mono o sa i ta ri kowa shi ta ri yaku soku ya ki soku na do o mamo ra zu ni han shi ta ri su ru

Word origin

破る (yaburu) is a native Japanese verb meaning "to tear or break"; its use for violating a promise or rule extends physical damage to something that should remain intact.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English break, 破る (yaburu) does not mean taking a short rest; it concerns tearing something or failing to follow an agreement or rule.

Opposites

Word lists with this word