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A2 verb 9 Min. Lesezeit

壊す

kowasu

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At the A1 level, you should learn 'kowasu' as a simple action verb meaning 'to break.' You will mostly use it to talk about physical objects in your immediate environment, like toys, cups, or pens. The most important thing to remember at this stage is the sentence structure: [Person] は [Object] を壊します (Person breaks object). You should also learn the negative form 'kowasanaide' (don't break) because it is very common in daily life. Focus on the distinction between 'kowasu' (I break it) and 'kowareru' (it breaks). For an A1 student, 'kowasu' is a 'doing' word. You are the one causing the change. Examples at this level are usually short and direct. You might say 'I broke my brother's toy' or 'Please don't break the window.' It is a essential verb for basic survival Japanese, especially when you need to apologize for an accident.

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At the A2 level, you begin to use 'kowasu' in more varied contexts, including health. You will learn the common phrase 'karada o kowasu' (to ruin one's health) and 'onaka o kowasu' (to have an upset stomach). You should also be able to conjugate the verb into the Te-form (kowashite) to link it with other actions, such as 'I broke my phone and bought a new one.' At this level, you start to understand the difference between 'kowasu' and other breaking verbs like 'waru' (for glass) and 'yaburu' (for paper). You are expected to use the polite form 'kowashimashita' when apologizing for accidents. You also begin to see 'kowasu' in simple stories or news headlines about things being destroyed by weather. The concept of 'transitivity' becomes clearer as you contrast 'kowasu' with 'kowareru' in your exercises.

By B1, you should be comfortable using 'kowasu' for abstract concepts like 'breaking the atmosphere' (fun'iki o kowasu) or 'ruining a plan' (yotei o kowasu). You will start using the potential form 'kowaseru' (can break) and the passive form 'kowasareru' (to be broken by someone). You'll also encounter 'kowasu' in compound verbs and more complex grammatical structures, such as 'kowashite shimau' (to break something accidentally/regrettably). Your understanding of the word moves beyond just 'smashing things' to 'causing something to stop functioning correctly.' You might discuss social issues where old systems are being 'broken down' to make way for new ones. You should also be aware of the noun form 'hakai' (destruction) and how it relates to the verb 'kowasu.' At this level, you are expected to choose the most appropriate 'breaking' verb based on the material of the object (glass vs. paper vs. machine).

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At the B2 level, you use 'kowasu' to describe complex social, psychological, and technical disruptions. You can use it in formal debates or essays to discuss 'breaking down barriers' or 'destroying traditional values.' You will learn to use the causative-passive form 'kowasaseraru' (to be made to break something) and other advanced conjugations. You should be able to distinguish between the nuances of 'kowasu,' '破壊する (hakai suru),' and '台無しにする (dainashi ni suru)' in professional contexts. For instance, you might explain how a specific policy 'destroyed' the local economy. You also become familiar with more idiomatic and literary uses of the word. Your vocabulary includes related terms like 'kowashi-ya' (someone who breaks things/a wrecker). You can also use 'kowasu' to describe breaking a rhythm in music or a pace in a race, showing a high level of linguistic flexibility.

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At the C1 level, 'kowasu' is used with high precision in nuanced discussions. You understand its role in literature and high-level journalism, where it might be used to describe the 'deconstruction' of a philosophy or the 'shattering' of a long-held myth. You can discuss the etymology of the kanji 壊 and how its components contribute to the meaning of 'crumbling earth.' You are capable of using 'kowasu' in sophisticated rhetorical devices. You also master the use of 'kowasu' in various registers, from the very rough 'bukkowasu' in street slang to the highly formal 'hakai' in academic papers. You can explain the subtle psychological implications of using 'kowasu' versus other verbs in a narrative context. Your ability to use the word appropriately in business negotiations—for example, when discussing 'disruptive' technology—is well-developed. You are no longer just 'breaking' things; you are 'dismantling' concepts.

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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'kowasu' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You can use the word and its derivatives to engage in deep philosophical discussions about the nature of destruction and creation. You understand the most obscure idioms and historical uses of the word. You can effortlessly switch between 'kowasu' and its many synonyms to achieve specific stylistic effects in writing or speaking. You are aware of how the word has evolved in modern digital culture and can use it to describe complex technical failures or systemic collapses. You can also play with the word's meaning in puns or creative writing. Your understanding of the transitive/intransitive pair (kowasu/kowareru) is instinctive, and you can use them to manipulate the focus and tone of a sentence perfectly. For a C2 learner, 'kowasu' is a versatile tool used to describe the fundamental process of change in the universe.

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A transitive verb meaning to break, destroy, or ruin.
Used for physical objects, health (stomach/body), and abstract concepts (mood/plans).
Requires the particle 'wo' and an active subject.
The transitive counterpart to 'kowareru' (to be broken).

The Japanese verb 壊す (kowasu) is a fundamental transitive verb that every Japanese learner must master early on. At its core, it means 'to break' or 'to destroy' something. Unlike its intransitive counterpart, kowareru (to be broken), kowasu requires an active agent—someone or something that performs the action of breaking. This word is incredibly versatile, covering everything from physically smashing a glass to metaphorically ruining one's health or spoiling a surprise. When you use kowasu, you are emphasizing the cause of the destruction.

Physical Objects: This is the most common usage. It refers to making a physical object non-functional or breaking it into pieces. For example, dropping a phone or hitting a wall.
Health and Body: In Japanese, you 'break' your health (karada o kowasu) or 'break' your stomach (hara o kowasu) when you get sick or have indigestion. This is a very common idiomatic use.
Abstract Concepts: It can be used for breaking a mood (fun'iki o kowasu), destroying a relationship, or ruining a plan.

子供がおもちゃを壊すのは、好奇心の現れです。
(Children breaking toys is an expression of curiosity.)

One of the most important things to understand about kowasu is its relationship with the particle を (o). Since it is a transitive verb, you will almost always see the object being broken followed by を. If you accidentally use が (ga), the sentence usually becomes grammatically incorrect or changes the meaning to the intransitive 'something broke by itself'. In daily life, you'll hear parents telling children 'Don't break that!' (Kowasanaide!), or workers reporting that they accidentally broke a piece of equipment. It carries a sense of impact and negative change.

彼は働きすぎて体を壊してしまった。
(He ruined his health by overworking.)

Furthermore, kowasu is used in technical contexts. If a software update 'breaks' a feature, developers might use kowasu or the more technical hakai-teki na henko (destructive change). In the context of architecture, 'demolishing' a building is often expressed as tatemono o kowasu. It is a word that spans from the tiny (breaking a pencil lead) to the massive (destroying a skyscraper). Understanding the 'transitive' nature is the key to using it naturally in conversation.

Using 壊す correctly involves understanding its conjugation and its place in the [Subject] は [Object] を壊す pattern. Because it is a Godan verb (Type 1), its stem changes depending on the suffix. For example, the polite form is kowashimasu, the past tense is kowashita, and the negative form is kowasanai. Mastery of these forms allows you to describe past accidents, current actions, or future intentions clearly.

Polite Form (Masu-form): すみません、花瓶を壊しました。(Excuse me, I broke the vase.) This is the standard way to admit a mistake or report an event to a superior or stranger.
Negative Request (Naide-form): 大事なものだから、壊さないでください。(It's important, so please don't break it.) Essential for giving instructions or warnings.
Potential Form (E-dan): この壁は硬すぎて壊せません。(This wall is too hard; I can't break it.) Used to describe the ability or possibility of destruction.

弟が私のパソコンを壊したので、修理に出しました。
(My younger brother broke my computer, so I sent it for repair.)

In more complex sentences, kowasu can be combined with other verbs. For instance, kowashi-tsuzukeru means 'to continue breaking.' It can also be used in the passive voice, kowasareru (to be broken by someone), which is common when you want to emphasize that you are the victim of someone else's destructive action. If someone breaks your heart, you might say kokoro o kowasareta, though kizu-tsuketa (hurt) is more common for emotional pain.

冷たいものを飲みすぎて、お腹を壊してしまいました。
(I drank too many cold things and ended up with an upset stomach.)

When talking about breaking records in sports, kiroku o kowasu is occasionally used, but kiroku o koushin suru (update/renew record) or kiroku o yaburu (break record) is more frequent. However, in casual speech, if you 'destroy' a record significantly, kowasu can add a level of intensity. Always consider the object: if it is fragile and physical, kowasu is your best friend. If it is flat like paper, yaburu is better. If it is glass or ceramic, waru (to crack/shatter) is often more specific, but kowasu remains a safe, general alternative.

You will encounter 壊す in a wide variety of social and cultural settings in Japan. In the household, it's a word of caution and apology. Children are frequently warned not to break things (kowasanaide!), and family members apologize for breaking household items. In the workplace, it’s used when discussing equipment failures caused by human error or when a new project might 'break' the existing workflow or company culture.

In Anime and Manga: Characters often shout about 'breaking' their limits (genkai o kowasu) or 'destroying' the world (sekai o kowasu). It sounds powerful and dramatic in these contexts.
In News Reports: When a typhoon or earthquake occurs, news anchors use kowasu or its noun form hakai to describe the damage to buildings and infrastructure.
In Medical/Health Advice: Doctors and health influencers often warn against karada o kowasu (ruining your health) through poor lifestyle choices, lack of sleep, or stress.

台風が多くの家を壊しました。
(The typhoon destroyed many houses.)

Interestingly, kowasu is also heard in the context of 'breaking' money. While kuzusu is the more standard term for getting change (e.g., changing a 10,000 yen bill into 1,000 yen bills), some speakers might use kowasu colloquially, though it's less common. In the tech world, 'breaking' a system or 'breaking' the internet (though the latter is more of a Western loan-concept) uses kowasu. If you go to a repair shop, the first thing they might ask is Dou yatte kowashimashita ka? (How did you break it?).

静かな雰囲気を壊さないように、静かに歩いた。
(I walked quietly so as not to break the silent atmosphere.)

Finally, you’ll hear it in the phrase pasha o kowasu (to break the pace/rhythm). Whether it's in music, sports, or a conversation, if someone does something that disrupts the established flow, they are said to 'break' it. This highlights that kowasu isn't just about physical destruction, but about the cessation of a state or function. It's a word that describes the end of the 'normal' and the beginning of 'disorder'.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with 壊す is confusing it with the intransitive verb 壊れる (kowareru). English often uses the same word 'break' for both situations (e.g., 'I broke the glass' vs 'The glass broke'), but Japanese requires a strict distinction. If you say Gurasu ga kowashita, you are saying 'The glass broke [something else],' which makes no sense. You must say Gurasu ga kowareta (The glass broke) or Gurasu o kowashita (I broke the glass).

Mistaking 'Kowasu' for 'Waru': While kowasu is general, waru (割る) is specifically for cracking or splitting things like glass, eggs, or plates. Using kowasu for an egg sounds like you completely pulverized it rather than just cracking it open.
Mistaking 'Kowasu' for 'Yaburu': For paper, cloth, or promises/records, yaburu (破る) is the correct verb. Saying kami o kowasu sounds very strange to a native speaker; it should be kami o yaburu.
Incorrect Particle Usage: Using 'ga' instead of 'o' with kowasu is a telltale sign of a learner. Always pair kowasu with 'o' to indicate the object receiving the action.

❌ 窓が壊しました。
✅ 窓を壊しました。 (I broke the window.)
✅ 窓が壊れました。 (The window broke.)

Another common error is using kowasu for 'breaking a habit.' In Japanese, you 'quit' a habit (shukan o yameru) or 'stop' it. Kowasu is too violent a word for habits. Similarly, for 'breaking a heart,' while kokoro o kowasu is understood, it usually refers to causing someone a mental breakdown rather than just making them sad. For romantic heartbreak, furu (to dump) or shitsuren suru (to lose a love) are the standard terms.

お腹を壊す (upset stomach) is a set phrase. Don't try to use waru or yaburu here!

Lastly, be careful with the level of politeness. While kowasu is fine with friends, in a professional setting where you broke something belonging to a client, you might want to use even more formal language like fushimatsu o itashimashita (I have been negligent) or hakai shite shimaimashita (I have destroyed it), although kowashite shimaimashita is usually polite enough for most apologies.

Japanese has several words that overlap with 壊す, each with its own specific nuance. Choosing the right one makes your Japanese sound more natural and precise. Kowasu is the 'Swiss Army Knife' of breaking verbs, but sometimes you need a more specific tool.

破壊する (Hakai suru): This is the formal, 'big' version of kowasu. It means 'to destroy' or 'to demolish.' It's used in news reports, history books, or when talking about massive destruction like war or natural disasters.
割る (Waru): Specifically for hard, brittle objects. You waru a glass, a plate, or an egg. If you kowasu a plate, it sounds like you ground it into powder. If you waru it, you just cracked it.
破る (Yaburu): Used for tearing paper or cloth, but also for 'breaking' rules, records, or promises. It implies a breach or a tear.
砕く (Kudaku): To smash into small pieces or to crush. You kudaku ice or a hard stone. It emphasizes the resulting fragments.

彼は古い慣習を打ち壊そうとした。
(He tried to smash/break down old customs.)

Another interesting alternative is 台無しにする (dainashi ni suru), which means 'to ruin' or 'to spoil.' If you make a mistake that ruins a whole plan, you didn't just 'break' it (kowasu), you made it 'dainashi.' Similarly, 故障させる (koushou saseru) is used specifically for causing a mechanical or technical breakdown. While pasokon o kowashita is fine, pasokon o koushou saseta sounds slightly more technical, as if you caused a specific malfunction.

氷を砕いてグラスに入れました。
(I crushed the ice and put it in the glass.)

In slang, you might hear ぶっ壊す (bukkowasu). The prefix bu- adds a rough, violent emphasis. It's like saying 'to smash the hell out of' something. This is common in video games or when someone is very angry. On the flip side, 解体する (kaitai suru) is used for 'dismantling' something in a structured way, like taking apart a machine or a building intentionally. Choosing between these depends on whether the breaking is accidental, purposeful, violent, or systematic.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The kanji 壊 is also used in the word 'Kintsugi' (gold joinery), which is the art of repairing broken pottery with gold. Even though the word means to destroy, Japanese culture has a famous art form based on the aftermath of 'kowasu'!

Aussprachehilfe

UK ko.wa.sɯ

US koʊ.wɑ.su

Japanese does not have stress like English. It has pitch accent. In 'kowasu', the pitch starts low on 'ko' and rises on 'wa'.

Reimt sich auf

合わす (awasu) 交わす (kawasu) 祝す (shukusu) 食す (shokusu) 壊す (kowasu) 明かす (akasu) 逃がす (nigasu) 溶かす (tokasu)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing 'wa' as 'way'. It should be a short 'ah' sound.
Over-emphasizing the final 'u'. In many Japanese dialects, it is nearly silent.
Changing the 'o' to an 'oh' sound as in 'go'. Keep it short.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

The kanji 壊 is slightly complex (16 strokes) but very common.

Schreiben 3/5

Writing 壊 requires attention to the many strokes on the right side.

Sprechen 1/5

Pronunciation is simple and the verb follows standard Godan rules.

Hören 1/5

Distinctive sound, unlikely to be confused with other common verbs.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

作る (tsukuru) 物 (mono) 手 (te) 落とす (otosu) を (particle)

Als Nächstes lernen

壊れる (kowareru) 修理する (shuuri suru) 割る (waru) 破る (yaburu) 故障 (koushou)

Fortgeschritten

破壊 (hakai) 崩壊 (houkai) 壊滅 (kaimetsu) 瓦解 (gakai)

Wichtige Grammatik

Transitive vs Intransitive

壊す (transitive) vs 壊れる (intransitive).

Te-shimau (Regret)

壊してしまった (I broke it [and I'm sorry]).

Potential Form

壊せる (Can break).

Passive Voice

壊される (To be broken by someone).

Compound Verbs

打ち壊す (To smash down).

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Beispiele nach Niveau

私はおもちゃを壊しました。

I broke the toy.

Simple past tense of a transitive verb.

それを壊さないでください。

Please don't break that.

Negative request using -naide kudasai.

だれがペンを壊したの？

Who broke the pen?

Question form with 'dare' (who).

猫が花瓶を壊しました。

The cat broke the vase.

Subject (cat) + Object (vase) + Verb.

わざと壊したんじゃないよ。

I didn't break it on purpose.

Using 'wazato' (on purpose) with negative past.

コップを壊さないように気をつけて。

Be careful not to break the cup.

Using -nai you ni (so as not to).

この箱を壊してもいいですか？

Is it okay if I break (tear down) this box?

Asking permission using -te mo ii desu ka.

弟はいつもおもちゃを壊す。

My younger brother always breaks toys.

Present habitual tense.

冷たいものを食べて、お腹を壊しました。

I ate cold food and got an upset stomach.

Idiomatic use: onaka o kowasu.

スマホを落として、画面を壊してしまった。

I dropped my phone and ended up breaking the screen.

Using -te shimau to express regret.

無理をして、体を壊さないでね。

Don't push yourself too hard and ruin your health.

Idiomatic use: karada o kowasu.

彼は怒ってドアを壊した。

He got angry and broke the door.

Connecting an emotion with an action.

どうやってカメラを壊したんですか？

How did you break the camera?

Using 'dou yatte' (how).

この機械は壊しやすいので、注意してください。

This machine is easy to break, so please be careful.

Using -yasui (easy to).

古い家を壊して、新しい家を建てます。

We will demolish the old house and build a new one.

Sequential actions using the Te-form.

鍵を壊して中に入りました。

I broke the lock and went inside.

Describing a necessary but destructive action.

彼の冗談が、パーティーの雰囲気を壊してしまった。

His joke ruined the party's atmosphere.

Metaphorical use for 'atmosphere'.

そんなことをしたら、二人の関係を壊すことになるよ。

If you do that, it will end up destroying the relationship between the two of you.

Metaphorical use for 'relationship'.

この壁は、ハンマーを使えば壊せます。

This wall can be broken if you use a hammer.

Potential form 'kowaseru'.

誰かに自転車を壊された。

My bicycle was broken by someone.

Passive form 'kowasareta' (adversative passive).

計画を壊すようなことは言わないでください。

Please don't say things that might ruin the plan.

Using 'you na' to modify 'koto'.

彼は自分の手で将来を壊してしまった。

He ruined his own future by his own hand.

Abstract use for 'future'.

地震が街を壊す様子をテレビで見ました。

I saw the way the earthquake destroyed the city on TV.

Using 'yousu' (state/appearance).

静寂を壊す音が聞こえた。

I heard a sound that broke the silence.

Literary use for 'silence'.

既存のシステムを壊すことで、新しい価値が生まれる。

By breaking the existing system, new value is born.

Discussing innovation/disruption.

彼はプレッシャーで精神を壊してしまった。

He had a mental breakdown due to the pressure.

Mental health context.

その不祥事は、企業の信頼を根底から壊した。

That scandal destroyed the company's trust from its foundations.

Abstract use for 'trust'.

記録を壊す（破る）のは、並大抵のことではない。

Breaking a record is no ordinary feat.

Sports context.

ダムの建設が自然環境を壊すと、住民が反対している。

Residents are protesting that the dam construction will destroy the natural environment.

Environmental context.

彼女は沈黙を壊すように、話し始めた。

She started speaking as if to break the silence.

Using 'you ni' for intent.

不用意な発言が、これまでの努力をすべて壊してしまった。

A careless remark ruined all the efforts made so far.

Abstract use for 'effort'.

この古い建物を壊すのには、多額の費用がかかる。

It costs a lot of money to demolish this old building.

Financial context.

固定概念を壊すことが、創造性の鍵である。

Breaking fixed concepts (stereotypes) is the key to creativity.

Philosophical/Cognitive context.

その法案は、長年築き上げてきた社会秩序を壊しかねない。

That bill might potentially destroy the social order built up over many years.

Using '-kaneyai' (might potentially).

権力者がメディアを壊すのは、独裁への第一歩だ。

A ruler destroying the media is the first step toward dictatorship.

Political context.

彼は、自身のアイデンティティを一度壊してから、再構築した。

He destroyed his own identity once and then reconstructed it.

Psychological/Existential context.

市場の均衡を壊すような急激な価格変動が起きた。

A sudden price fluctuation occurred that broke the market equilibrium.

Economic context.

その芸術家は、伝統的な美の基準を壊す作品を発表した。

The artist released a work that broke traditional standards of beauty.

Artistic context.

テクノロジーの進化が、既存のビジネスモデルを壊していく。

The evolution of technology continues to destroy existing business models.

Business/Innovation context.

彼は、自らの沈黙を壊すための言葉を探していた。

He was searching for words to break his own silence.

Poetic/Literary context.

エントロピーの法則によれば、宇宙は常に秩序を壊す方向へ進んでいる。

According to the laws of entropy, the universe is always moving in a direction that destroys order.

Scientific/Philosophical context.

言語の壁を壊すことは、真の相互理解への必須条件だ。

Breaking the language barrier is a prerequisite for true mutual understanding.

Socio-linguistic context.

彼は、言葉そのものの意味を壊すような前衛的な詩を書いた。

He wrote avant-garde poetry that seemed to destroy the meaning of words themselves.

Literary analysis context.

社会のシステムが、個人の尊厳を壊すことがあってはならない。

It must never happen that a social system destroys the dignity of the individual.

Ethical/Legal context.

核兵器は、人類の文明を一瞬で壊す力を持っている。

Nuclear weapons have the power to destroy human civilization in an instant.

Global/Political context.

古いパラダイムを壊すことなしに、真のイノベーションは起こり得ない。

True innovation cannot occur without breaking old paradigms.

Epistemological context.

彼は、自らの信念を壊すような事実に直面し、苦悩した。

He suffered when faced with facts that destroyed his own beliefs.

Internal conflict context.

建築家は、空間の概念を壊すような斬新な設計を提案した。

The architect proposed a novel design that broke the concept of space.

Architectural theory context.

Häufige Kollokationen

体を壊す

お腹を壊す

雰囲気を壊す

おもちゃを壊す

記録を壊す

スマホを壊す

関係を壊す

沈黙を壊す

家を壊す

夢を壊す

Häufige Phrasen

壊してしまった

— Broke it (with regret/accidentally).

大事な時計を壊してしまった。

壊さないで

— Don't break it.

まだ新しいから壊さないで。

ぶっ壊す

— To smash/destroy (rough/slang).

全部ぶっ壊してやる！

壊しやすい

— Easy to break/Fragile.

このガラスは壊しやすい。

壊しにくい

— Hard to break/Durable.

この素材は壊しにくい。

壊すつもりはない

— I don't intend to break it.

君の幸せを壊すつもりはない。

壊すきっかけ

— The trigger for breaking/destruction.

それが関係を壊すきっかけになった。

壊す勇気

— The courage to break (tradition/norms).

古い慣習を壊す勇気が必要だ。

壊す道具

— Tools for breaking/demolishing.

壁を壊す道具を借りる。

壊す方法

— The method of breaking.

どうやって壊すか考える。

Wird oft verwechselt mit

壊す vs 壊れる (kowareru)

Kowareru is intransitive (it broke). Kowasu is transitive (I broke it).

壊す vs 割る (waru)

Waru is for cracking/splitting glass/ceramics. Kowasu is for general breaking/destroying.

壊す vs 破る (yaburu)

Yaburu is for tearing paper/cloth or breaking rules. Kowasu is not for paper.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"腹を壊す"

— To have an upset stomach/diarrhea.

生魚を食べて腹を壊した。

Common

"体を壊す"

— To fall ill due to overwork or neglect.

働きすぎで体を壊さないように。

Common

"型を壊す"

— To break the mold; to do something unconventional.

彼は常に型を壊す新しいアートを作る。

Literary

"夢を壊す"

— To disillusion someone; to ruin a dream.

子供の夢を壊すようなことは言わないで。

Common

"雰囲気を壊す"

— To spoil the mood; to be a 'buzzkill'.

彼の空気を読まない発言が雰囲気を壊した。

Common

"メンタルを壊す"

— To have a mental breakdown (modern slang).

ブラック企業でメンタルを壊した。

Slang

"リズムを壊す"

— To break the rhythm or pace.

相手のリズムを壊す戦法をとる。

Sports

"均衡を壊す"

— To break the equilibrium/balance.

その一言が、危うい均衡を壊した。

Formal

"沈黙を壊す"

— To break the silence.

彼女が沈黙を壊して笑い出した。

Literary

"平穏を壊す"

— To disturb the peace.

戦争が人々の平穏を壊した。

Formal

Leicht verwechselbar

壊す vs 割る

Both mean 'break'.

Waru is for splitting into two or more pieces (glass, eggs). Kowasu is for making something not work or destroying its form entirely.

皿を割る (crack a plate) vs 皿を壊す (smash a plate to bits).

壊す vs 破る

Both mean 'break'.

Yaburu is for flat things (paper, screen doors) or abstract things like promises. Kowasu is for 3D objects or systems.

約束を破る (break a promise) vs 時計を壊す (break a watch).

壊す vs 砕く

Both involve destruction.

Kudaku means to crush into small fragments or powder. Kowasu is more general.

氷を砕く (crush ice) vs 窓を壊す (break a window).

壊す vs 潰す

Both mean to ruin or damage.

Tsubusu means to flatten/squash or to kill time/a business. Kowasu is structural failure.

虫を潰す (squash a bug) vs おもちゃを壊す (break a toy).

壊す vs 故障させる

Both mean to break a machine.

Koushou saseru is technical/mechanical. Kowasu is general and can be physical.

エンジンを故障させる (cause engine failure) vs エンジンを壊す (smash the engine).

Satzmuster

[Subject] は [Object] を壊します。

私は時計を壊します。

[Subject] は [Object] を壊してしまいました。

私はスマホを壊してしまいました。

[Object] を壊さないようにしてください。

雰囲気を壊さないようにしてください。

[Subject] は [Object] を壊せます。

彼は壁を壊せます。

[Object] を壊される。

泥棒に鍵を壊された。

[Object] を壊しかねない。

その発言は信頼を壊しかねない。

[Object] を壊すことなしに〜できない。

伝統を壊すことなしに進化はできない。

[Object] を壊さんとする。

彼は旧体制を壊さんとしている。

Wortfamilie

Substantive

壊れ (koware - breakage)

破壊 (hakai - destruction)

崩壊 (houkai - collapse)

破滅 (hametsu - ruin)

Verben

壊れる (kowareru - to break [intransitive])

打ち壊す (uchikowasu - to smash)

壊し合わせる (kowashiawaseru - to break together)

Adjektive

壊れやすい (koware-yasui - fragile)

破壊的 (hakaiteki - destructive)

Verwandt

修理 (shuuri - repair)

故障 (koushou - malfunction)

破る (yaburu - tear/break record)

割る (waru - crack)

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frequency

Extremely high in daily conversation and media.

Häufige Fehler

窓が壊した。 → 窓を壊した。 (or 窓が壊れた。)
You used 'ga' with a transitive verb. 'Kowasu' needs an object 'wo'.
紙を壊しました。 → 紙を破りました。
'Kowasu' is for 3D objects. For paper, use 'yaburu'.
約束を壊さないで。 → 約束を破らないで。
For promises and rules, use 'yaburu'.
卵を壊す。 → 卵を割る。
'Kowasu' sounds like you crushed the egg into dust. 'Waru' is for cracking it.
彼が私の心を壊した。 → 彼が私の心を傷つけた。
'Kizutsukeru' (to hurt) is more natural for emotional pain than 'kowasu'.

Tipps

Check the Particle

Always use 'wo' (を) with 'kowasu'. If you use 'ga' (が), you should probably be using 'kowareru' (intransitive).

Softening an Apology

If you broke something, say 'Kowashite shimaimashita' rather than just 'Kowashimashita'. It shows you didn't mean to do it.

Paper vs Glass

Remember: Paper is 'yaburu', Glass is 'waru', Machines are 'kowasu'.

Health Idioms

Memorize 'karada o kowasu' and 'onaka o kowasu' as set phrases. They are used daily.

Kanji Components

The kanji 壊 has 'earth' (土). Think of something breaking and falling to the ground.

Business Context

In business, use 'hakai' for 'disruptive' (e.g., disruptive technology) but 'kowasu' for accidentally breaking the office printer.

Mottainai Spirit

Breaking things is seen as very negative in Japan due to the spirit of 'mottainai'. Always apologize sincerely.

Anime Speak

You'll hear 'bukkowasu' a lot in shonen anime. It means 'to smash' or 'to crush' with great force.

The Cow and Wasp

Remember the Cow and Wasp (Ko-Wasu) breaking everything in the house.

Potential Form

Use 'kowaseru' when you want to say something is breakable or you have the strength to break it.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Imagine a COW (ko) and a WASP (wasu) fighting. The cow is so big it BREAKS everything in the room!

Visuelle Assoziation

Visualize a giant hammer hitting a glass computer screen. See the cracks spreading. That action is 'kowasu'.

Word Web

Break Destroy Upset Stomach Ruin Health Smash Demolish Spoil Mood Disrupt

Herausforderung

Try to find three things in your house that are 'koware-yasui' (fragile) and say 'Kowasanai de kudasai' to yourself for each one.

Wortherkunft

The word 'kowasu' comes from the Old Japanese root 'kowa', which relates to crumbling or becoming stiff/hard. The kanji 壊 (kai/kowasu) consists of the 'earth' radical (土) on the left, suggesting something returning to the soil. The right side contains elements representing 'bosom' or 'carrying,' but in this context, it evolved to mean the disintegration of a structure.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To crumble into dust or to make something fall apart.

Japonic

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when using 'kowasu' regarding people's feelings or health; it can sound quite harsh if not used with 'shimau' or other softening expressions.

English speakers often use 'break' for everything. Japanese speakers are more specific. Don't say 'kowasu' for paper or hearts!

The phrase 'Sekai o bukkowasu' (I will destroy the world) is a common trope for anime villains. Kintsugi: The art of fixing what has been 'kowashita'. Mottainai: The feeling of regret when you 'kowasu' something useful.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

At Home

コップを壊した。
おもちゃを壊さないで。
花瓶を壊してしまった。
掃除機を壊した。

At the Doctor

お腹を壊しました。
体を壊しました。
胃を壊しやすいです。
健康を壊す。

At Work

パソコンを壊した。
計画を壊す。
雰囲気を壊さないで。
機械を壊してしまった。

In Sports

記録を壊す。
リズムを壊す。
相手のペースを壊す。
壁を壊す。

In a Relationship

二人の仲を壊す。
信頼を壊す。
夢を壊す。
将来を壊す。

Gesprächseinstiege

"最近、何か壊したものはありますか？ (Have you broken anything lately?)"

"スマホの画面を壊したことはありますか？ (Have you ever broken your smartphone screen?)"

"お腹を壊しやすい食べ物はありますか？ (Are there any foods that easily upset your stomach?)"

"どうすれば古い習慣を壊せると思いますか？ (How do you think we can break old habits?)"

"子供の頃、よくおもちゃを壊しましたか？ (Did you often break toys when you were a child?)"

Tagebuch-Impulse

昨日、うっかり何かを壊してしまった時のことを書いてください。 (Write about a time you accidentally broke something yesterday.)

「体を壊す」まで働いた経験、またはそうならないための工夫について書いてください。 (Write about an experience of working until you 'broke your health,' or what you do to prevent that.)

自分の人生で「壊したい」と思っている古い考え方はありますか？ (Is there an old way of thinking in your life that you want to 'break'?)

誰かに大切なものを壊された時の気持ちを説明してください。 (Explain your feelings when someone broke something important to you.)

今の社会で、壊すべきだと思うシステムは何ですか？ (What system in current society do you think should be broken/dismantled?)

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Usually, 'kizutsukeru' (to hurt) is used. 'Kokoro o kowasu' sounds more like causing a serious mental breakdown or destroying someone's spirit entirely. For a romantic breakup, use 'furu' (to dump) or 'shitsuren' (heartbreak).

No, you should use 'yaburu' (破る) for rules, laws, and promises. Using 'kowasu' would sound like you are physically destroying the document the rule is written on.

Kowasu is the common, everyday word for breaking things. Hakai suru is formal and often implies large-scale destruction, like 'destroying a city' or 'destructive behavior' in a psychological sense.

While 'kuzusu' (崩す) is the correct and most common word for changing a large bill into smaller ones, some people colloquially use 'kowasu,' but it's better to stick with 'kuzusu'.

No, it's an idiom. It means you have an upset stomach, indigestion, or diarrhea. It's one of the most common ways to say you're feeling sick in that area.

Use the Te-form plus 'shimatta': '壊してしまった' (Kowashite shimatta). This adds the nuance of regret and accidentality.

Yes, you can use 'kiroku o kowasu,' but 'kiroku o yaburu' or 'kiroku o koushin suru' (update a record) are more common in sports journalism.

It is a slangy, rough version of 'kowasu.' The 'bu-' prefix adds emphasis and violence. You'll hear it in action movies or when someone is extremely frustrated.

Yes, 'kankei o kowasu' means to destroy or ruin a relationship. It's a common metaphorical use.

It is a transitive verb (tadoushi). It requires an object (indicated by 'wo') and an actor who performs the action.

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