Japanese word

粉々

Pronunciation

Romajikonagona

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveshattered

Example

花瓶が粉々になります。ka bin ga kona gona ni na ri ma su

The vase breaks into tiny pieces.

Illustration for 粉々 (shattered)

More examples

作業員が古いコンクリートを粉々に砕きました。sa gyō in ga furu i ko n ku rī to o kona gona ni kuda ki ma shi ta

The worker crushed the old concrete into pieces.

Core concept

Describes something broken into so many tiny pieces that its original shape is lost.

Common phrases

  • 粉々になるkona gona ni na ru

    be shattered

  • 粉々に砕くkona gona ni kuda ku

    crush into pieces

  • 粉々に砕けるkona gona ni kuda ke ru

    shatter into pieces

Similar words

ばらばらbarabara: Describes something divided into separate pieces that are scattered or no longer joined.
粉微塵konamijin: Describes something reduced to very fine fragments or dust, often by force.
木っ端微塵koppamijin: Describes something destroyed into countless small pieces, often by a powerful impact.

Definition in Japanese

物が非常に細かく砕けて、元の形を失った状態。mono ga hi jō ni koma ka ku kuda ke te moto no katachi o ushina tta jō tai

Word origin

The Japanese word 粉々 (konagona, "shattered into tiny pieces") repeats 粉 (kona, "powder"), with voicing in the second element.

Usage tips

  • English often uses "shattered" for glass, while 粉々 (konagona) can also describe a plan or hope that is completely ruined.

Opposites

  • 無傷mukizuintactnoun

Word lists with this word