Japanese word

破壊

Pronunciation

Romajihakai

Meaning

  • noundestruction

Example

私たちは自然の破壊を止めます。watashi ta chi wa shi zen no ha kai o to me ma su

We will stop the destruction of nature.

Illustration for 破壊 (destruction)

More examples

地震による破壊の後、町は少しずつ復興しました。ji shin ni yo ru ha kai no ato machi wa suko shi zu tsu fuk kō shi ma shi ta

After the destruction caused by the earthquake, the town gradually recovered.

Core concept

Refers to making a thing, place, or system unable to remain in its former state by breaking it apart or ruining it.

Common phrases

  • 自然の破壊shi zen no ha kai

    destruction of nature

  • 破壊を防ぐha kai o fuse gu

    prevent destruction

  • 破壊の原因ha kai no gen in

    cause of destruction

Similar words

崩壊hōkai: The process in which a structure, system, or situation falls apart and loses its former order.
壊滅kaimetsu: The complete ruin of a place, group, or system, leaving little of its former state.
破損hason: Damage that breaks or harms an object, usually affecting a part rather than ruining the whole thing.
損壊sonkai: Damage to a building, object, or facility that weakens its structure or reduces its function.

Definition in Japanese

物や仕組みなどを壊して、もとの形や働きを失わせること。mono ya shi ku mi na do o kowa shi te mo to no katachi ya hatara ki o ushina wa se ru ko to

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese word 破壊 (hakai, "destruction") is formed from 破 (ha, "break") and 壊 (kai, "destroy"), linking the idea of breaking with ruin.

Usage tips

  • The English word destruction appears in familiar phrases such as habitat destruction, where it describes the serious loss of natural environments rather than a small injury.

Opposites

Related words

  • 破壊するhakaisurudestroyverb
  • 破壊的hakaitekidestructivena-adjective
  • 破壊力hakairyokudestructive powernoun

Word lists with this word