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B1 verb 9 Min. Lesezeit

潰す

tsubusu

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At the A1 level, you should focus on the most basic physical meaning of 'tsubusu,' which is 'to crush' or 'to mash' objects you can touch. Think about simple kitchen actions or cleaning. For example, mashing a potato or crushing a paper cup. At this stage, you don't need to worry about the metaphorical meanings like 'killing time' or 'ruining a business.' Just remember it as a physical action verb. It is a Group 1 (Godan) verb, so it follows the standard 'u' to 'imasu' conjugation (tsubusu -> tsubushimasu). You will mostly see it in the context of 'Subject wa Object o tsubushimasu.' It's a useful word for basic descriptions of physical changes. Focus on the feeling of pressing down with your hand or a tool. If you can imagine something becoming flat or soft because you pressed it, that's 'tsubusu.' Keep your sentences short and direct. Don't confuse it with 'kowasu' (to break), which is much more common at this level for general breaking of toys or items. 'Tsubusu' is specifically for that 'squishing' or 'mashing' motion.

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At the A2 level, you can start expanding 'tsubusu' into very common daily expressions. The most important one to learn now is 'hima o tsubusu' (to kill time). You might say this when you are waiting for a friend or a train. 'Eki de hima o tsubushimashita' (I killed time at the station). You should also learn how to use it for simple hygiene or chores, like 'mushi o tsubusu' (to crush a bug) or 'kan o tsubusu' (to crush a can for recycling). You will start seeing the -te form more often, like 'tsubushite kudasai' (please mash it). You should also be able to distinguish 'tsubusu' from 'tsubureru' (the intransitive 'to be crushed'). For example, 'I crushed the box' (tsubushita) vs. 'The box was crushed' (tsubureta). Understanding this pair is a key milestone in moving toward intermediate Japanese. You might also encounter it in simple sports contexts, like 'to ruin a chance.' Focus on these everyday scenarios where something is flattened or a gap in time is filled.

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At the B1 level, you are expected to handle the more nuanced and metaphorical uses of 'tsubusu.' This includes phrases like 'koe o tsubusu' (to lose/ruin one's voice) and 'kao o tsubusu' (to cause someone to lose face/reputation). You should understand that 'tsubusu' implies a total loss of function or form. In a professional context, you might hear about 'mise o tsubusu' (to close/ruin a shop) or 'kaisha o tsubusu' (to bankrupt a company). You should be comfortable using the verb in various conjugations, including the potential 'tsubuseru' (can crush) and the passive 'tsubusareru' (to be crushed by someone). B1 learners should also recognize 'tsubusu' in compound words or more complex sentences where it describes the destruction of an opportunity or a plan. For example, 'His mistake crushed our chances of winning.' You are moving beyond the physical kitchen actions and into the realm of social consequences and abstract concepts. Pay attention to how the word is used in news snippets or more descriptive stories.

At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of 'tsubusu' in almost all its idiomatic forms. You should understand the social gravity of phrases like 'kao o tsubusu' and how it relates to Japanese concepts of honor and social obligation. You will encounter 'tsubusu' in more aggressive or competitive contexts, such as 'teki no sakusen o tsubusu' (to crush the enemy's strategy). You should also be able to use it to describe the overexertion of body parts in a medical or athletic sense, like 'hiza o tsubusu' (to ruin one's knee). B2 learners should be able to appreciate the stylistic choice of using 'tsubusu' over 'kowasu' to add a sense of overwhelming pressure or completeness to the destruction. You might also see it in literature to describe the crushing of someone's spirit or hopes. Your ability to use the word should feel natural in both casual 'time-killing' scenarios and serious 'business-ruining' discussions. You should also be aware of regional variations or slangy uses where 'tsubusu' might mean to 'finish off' a task or an opponent completely.

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At the C1 level, your understanding of 'tsubusu' should be deep enough to catch subtle nuances in literature, high-level journalism, and formal debates. You should be able to analyze how 'tsubusu' is used to describe systemic failures or the deliberate dismantling of institutions. For example, 'seido o tsubusu' (to dismantle a system). You should also be familiar with more obscure idioms and the way 'tsubusu' interacts with other verbs in complex compounds like 'oshitsubusu' (to crush under weight) or 'nigitsubusu' (to crush in one's hand, or metaphorically to ignore/stifle a report). C1 learners should be able to use 'tsubusu' to convey specific emotional tones—such as the ruthlessness of a corporate takeover or the tragic loss of a prodigy's talent. You should also understand the passive-causative forms and how they shift responsibility in complex social narratives. Your usage should reflect an awareness of the word's power to describe the absolute end of a state, whether it's a physical object, a social standing, or a conceptual possibility.

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At the C2 level, 'tsubusu' is a tool for precise and evocative expression. You can use it to describe the 'crushing' of a market bubble, the 'mashing' of cultural identities in a melting pot, or the 'smothering' of a political movement. You should have a mastery of its historical etymology and how its usage has evolved from purely physical destruction to its current multifaceted role in the modern lexicon. You can distinguish between 'tsubusu' and its synonyms with near-native intuition, choosing it specifically when the nuance of 'flattening' or 'voiding' is required. In creative writing, you might use 'tsubusu' to create vivid imagery of psychological pressure or the weight of time. You are also capable of understanding and using the word in highly specialized fields, such as legal contexts regarding the 'nullification' of evidence or medical contexts regarding the 'obliteration' of tissue. At this level, the word is no longer just a vocabulary item; it is a versatile brushstroke in your linguistic repertoire, capable of conveying everything from a casual afternoon wait to a devastating life event.

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Primarily means to crush, mash, or flatten physical objects using pressure or force.
Commonly used idiomatically to mean 'killing time' (hima o tsubusu) when waiting.
Can mean to ruin or bankrupt a business, or to destroy someone's reputation or face.
Used in sports/health to describe ruining a body part (like a voice or knee) through overexertion.

The Japanese verb 潰す (tsubusu) is a versatile and essential term that primarily means 'to crush,' 'to mash,' or 'to smash.' At its most fundamental level, it describes the physical act of applying pressure to an object until its shape is destroyed or flattened. However, its utility in the Japanese language extends far beyond simple physical destruction, permeating through metaphorical contexts involving time, reputation, business, and even human potential. Understanding tsubusu is a gateway to grasping how Japanese speakers conceptualize the 'undoing' or 'neutralizing' of various states and entities.

Physical Destruction: This is the literal use. Whether you are mashing boiled potatoes to make a salad (じゃがいもを潰す) or flattening an empty soda can for recycling (缶を潰す), the core idea is the total loss of the original form through force. It implies a certain level of finality; once something is tsubus-ed, it cannot easily return to its prior state.
Killing Time: One of the most common idiomatic uses for intermediate learners is 暇を潰す (hima o tsubusu). In English, we say 'killing time.' In Japanese, you are 'crushing' the idle time. It suggests that you have time that would otherwise be 'empty' or 'unused,' and you are filling it with a trivial activity to make it disappear.
Social and Professional Ruin: In a harsher context, tsubusu can mean to bankrupt a company (会社を潰す) or to ruin someone's reputation or 'face' (面目を潰す). When used regarding a person's talent or future, it implies that external pressure or bad environment has 'crushed' their potential, preventing them from succeeding.

茹でたじゃがいもを丁寧に潰して、ポテトサラダを作りました。
Translation: I carefully mashed the boiled potatoes and made potato salad.

Furthermore, tsubusu is frequently seen in sports or competitive gaming. To 'crush' an opponent's strategy or to 'shut down' a specific player is often expressed using this verb. It carries a nuance of total suppression. If a pitcher in baseball 'crushes' the batter's chance by throwing a perfect strike, the batter's opportunity is effectively destroyed. This versatility makes it a high-frequency word in daily conversation, news reporting, and literature alike.

Using 潰す (tsubusu) correctly requires an understanding of its transitive nature. It is a 'Godan' (Group 1) verb, and it always takes a direct object marked by the particle を (o). You are the agent performing the crushing action upon something else. This distinguishes it from its intransitive counterpart, tsubureru (to be crushed/to collapse).

約束の時間まで、カフェで時間を潰すことにした。
Translation: I decided to kill time at a cafe until the appointment time.

When discussing body parts, tsubusu often implies overexertion or injury. For instance, singers or teachers might 'crush' their voices (声を潰す), meaning they have strained their vocal cords to the point of losing their voice. Similarly, an athlete might 'crush' their knee (膝を潰す), indicating a severe, career-threatening injury caused by excessive force or impact.

Transitive Usage (Active Force): Subject + Object + を + 潰す. Example: 'He crushed the bug.' (彼が虫を潰した). The subject is actively causing the destruction.
Abstract Usage (Opportunities/Plans): You can 'crush' a plan (計画を潰す) or a chance (チャンスを潰す). This often happens through negligence, interference, or a better counter-strategy. It implies that the potential for the event to happen has been eliminated.

彼は自分勝手な行動で、チームのチャンスを潰してしまった。
Translation: He ended up ruining the team's chance with his selfish behavior.

In business contexts, tsubusu is used when a larger company drives a smaller competitor out of business, or when a manager's poor decisions lead to the closure of a store. 'Mise o tsubusu' (to close/ruin a shop) is a heavy phrase that carries the weight of lost livelihoods. It is rarely used lightly in professional settings unless referring to a deliberate strategic move against a rival.

You will encounter 潰す (tsubusu) in a remarkably wide array of environments, from the kitchen to the boardroom, and from the sports field to the casual hangout. Its prevalence stems from its ability to describe both mundane physical tasks and complex social consequences. In a Japanese household, you'll hear it during meal prep. In an office, you might hear it in hushed tones regarding a failing project or a rival firm.

「ちょっとコンビニに行って時間を潰してくるよ」
Translation: 'I'll go to the convenience store to kill some time.'

In the world of sports manga and anime, tsubusu is a staple. Antagonists often declare their intent to 'crush' the protagonist (お前を潰してやる！ - I'll crush you!). Here, it signifies total dominance and the intent to break the opponent's spirit or physical ability to play. It adds a layer of aggression and intensity to the dialogue that a simpler verb like 'win' (katsu) cannot convey.

In the Kitchen: Cooks use it for garlic (ニンニクを潰す), strawberries for jam, or even crushing ice. It is a standard culinary instruction found in recipes and cooking shows.
In Social Settings: When someone ruins a party or a good mood, they might be said to have 'crushed the atmosphere' (座を潰す). It's used when an awkward comment brings the fun to a grinding halt.
In News and Finance: Headlines about corporate takeovers or bankruptcies often use the passive or causative forms of tsubusu to describe the dismantling of large organizations or the failure of banks.

あのピッチャーは連投で肩を潰してしまったらしい。
Translation: I heard that pitcher ruined his shoulder by pitching in too many consecutive games.

Finally, you will hear it in the context of 'popping' things, like bubbles in bubble wrap or a pimple (ニキビを潰す). While the latter is medically discouraged, the verb remains the standard way to describe the action. Whether it is the satisfying 'pop' of plastic or the devastating 'pop' of a business bubble, tsubusu is the word of choice for describing the end of a structure.

One of the most frequent errors learners make with 潰す (tsubusu) is confusing it with its intransitive partner 潰れる (tsubureru). Remember: tsubusu is something YOU do to an object, whereas tsubureru is something that happens TO an object, often without a specific agent mentioned or when the focus is on the state of the object.

Mistake: Using Tsubusu for Self-Collapse: Incorrect: 'The building crushed' (ビルが潰した). Correct: 'The building collapsed' (ビルが潰れた). Since the building is the one being destroyed, you must use the intransitive form unless you are Godzilla actively crushing the building.
Mistake: Overusing for 'Break': Learners often use tsubusu when they should use kowasu (to break). Use tsubusu specifically when pressure, mashing, or flattening is involved. If you drop a glass and it shatters, that is kowasu. If you step on the glass shards to make them smaller, that is tsubusu.

✕ 彼は会社を潰れた。
○ 彼は会社を潰した。
Note: Use 'tsubushita' because he is the one who caused the company to fail.

Another nuance mistake occurs with 'killing time.' While hima o tsubusu is perfectly natural, using tsubusu for 'wasting time' in a negative sense (like procrastinating) is less common than muda ni suru (to make useless). Tsubusu usually implies a neutral 'filling' of a gap in time rather than a regretful waste of a productive period.

Lastly, don't confuse tsubusu with neru (to knead). While you might mash (tsubusu) potatoes to make dough, the act of kneading the dough itself is neru. The distinction lies in the motion: tsubusu is downward pressure to destroy structure, while neru is a folding/mixing motion to create texture. Using the wrong one in a recipe could lead to very different culinary results!

Japanese has several verbs for breaking or destroying things, and choosing the right one depends on the method and the result. 潰す (tsubusu) is unique because of its focus on pressure and flattening. Let's compare it to its closest relatives to sharpen your vocabulary precision.

壊す (Kowasu) vs. 潰す (Tsubusu): Kowasu is the general word for 'to break.' It applies to machines, relationships, or physical objects. Tsubusu is more specific—it's breaking something by flattening it or destroying its internal space. You kowasu a clock (it stops working), but you tsubusu a clock (you hit it with a hammer until it's flat).
砕く (Kudaku) vs. 潰す (Tsubusu): Kudaku means 'to smash into pieces' or 'to shatter.' It's used for hard objects like ice, rocks, or dreams. While tsubusu results in something being mashed or flattened, kudaku results in many small fragments. You kudaku an ice cube to make crushed ice, but you tsubusu a grape.
押し潰す (Oshitsubusu): This compound verb adds the prefix oshi- (to push). It emphasizes the weight or the act of pressing down. It’s often used for being 'crushed under' something heavy, like a fallen tree or a heavy burden of responsibility.

氷を砕いてグラスに入れ、イチゴを潰してソースを作った。
Translation: I crushed (shattered) the ice into the glass and mashed the strawberries to make a sauce.

In formal or academic writing, you might see hakai suru (to destroy) or funshitsu suru (to pulverize). These are much more clinical. Tsubusu remains the most grounded, physical, and expressive choice for daily life. Whether you are dealing with a bug, a business, or a boring afternoon, tsubusu provides the perfect level of descriptive power.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The kanji for 'tsubusu' (潰) is also used in the word 'kaizen' (改善) - wait, no it's not! It's actually used in 'kaiyō' (潰瘍), which means 'ulcer'—literally a place where the skin/tissue has 'crushed' or broken down.

Aussprachehilfe

UK tsɯᵝbɯᵝsɯᵝ

US tsubusu

The pitch accent is typically 'Atamadaka' (Type 1), meaning the first syllable 'tsu' is high and the rest are low: TSU-bu-su.

Reimt sich auf

Musu (蒸す) Kusu (屈す) Fusu (伏す) Husu (付す) Usu (臼) Kusu (楠) Susu (煤) Nusu (盗)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing 'tsu' as 'su' or 'tu'.
Making the 'u' sounds too long like 'ooh'.
Confusing the pitch with 'tsubureru'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 3/5

The kanji is somewhat complex (JLPT N1 level), but the word is common in hiragana too.

Schreiben 4/5

Writing the kanji '潰' requires attention to the many strokes in the right-hand radical.

Sprechen 2/5

The pronunciation is straightforward, and the 'hima o tsubusu' idiom is very easy to use.

Hören 2/5

Distinctive sound, though it can be confused with 'tsubureru' in fast speech.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

壊す (kowasu) 時間 (jikan) 手 (te) じゃがいも (jagaimo) 待つ (matsu)

Als Nächstes lernen

潰れる (tsubureru) 砕く (kudaku) 破る (yaburu) 面目 (menboku) 暇 (hima)

Fortgeschritten

潰瘍 (kaiyou - ulcer) 崩壊 (houkai - collapse) 瓦解 (gakai - falling apart)

Wichtige Grammatik

Transitive vs. Intransitive Pairs

潰す (tsubusu - transitive) vs. 潰れる (tsubureru - intransitive).

Godan Verb Conjugation

tsubusu -> tsubushimasu, tsubusanai, tsubushita, tsubuseba.

Te-form for Method

じゃがいもを潰して料理を作る (Make food by mashing potatoes).

Potential Form

この缶は硬くて潰せない (This can is hard and I can't crush it).

Noun formation from Masu-stem

暇を潰す -> 暇潰し (Killing time).

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Beispiele nach Niveau

イチゴを潰します。

I mash strawberries.

Simple present tense using the -masu form.

虫を潰さないでください。

Please do not crush the bug.

Negative request using -nai de kudasai.

空き缶を潰しました。

I crushed the empty can.

Past tense -mashita.

じゃがいもを潰して、サラダを作ります。

I will mash the potatoes and make a salad.

-te form used to connect two actions.

この箱を潰してもいいですか？

Is it okay to crush this box?

-te mo ii desu ka for permission.

手で紙コップを潰した。

I crushed the paper cup with my hand.

Plain past form.

卵を潰さないように気をつけて。

Be careful not to crush the eggs.

-nai you ni for 'so as not to'.

バナナを潰して食べます。

I mash the banana and eat it.

-te form showing the method.

カフェで時間を潰しました。

I killed time at the cafe.

Common idiom for killing time.

友達を待つ間、本を読んで暇を潰した。

While waiting for my friend, I killed time by reading a book.

Hima o tsubusu is a standard A2 idiom.

ゴミを出す前に、ペットボトルを潰します。

Before taking out the trash, I crush the plastic bottles.

V-ru mae ni (before doing V).

彼は怒って、スマホを潰してしまった。

He got angry and accidentally crushed his smartphone.

-te shimau indicates regret or an accidental action.

ニンニクを潰すといい香りがします。

When you crush garlic, it smells good.

Conditional -to for natural consequences.

どうやって時間を潰そうか？

How shall we kill time?

Volitional form -ou ka.

大きな荷物が私のカバンを潰した。

A large piece of luggage crushed my bag.

Transitive use with a non-human subject.

彼は虫を指で潰した。

He crushed the bug with his finger.

Simple transitive action.

カラオケで歌いすぎて、声を潰してしまった。

I sang too much at karaoke and ruined my voice.

Koe o tsubusu means to lose one's voice from strain.

上司の顔を潰すようなことは言わないで。

Don't say things that would make your boss lose face.

Kao o tsubusu is a key B1 social idiom.

その不祥事で、彼は自分の将来を潰した。

With that scandal, he ruined his own future.

Metaphorical use for 'ruining' prospects.

雨のせいで、せっかくの計画が潰れてしまった。

Because of the rain, our precious plan was ruined.

Note the use of the intransitive 'tsubureru' here for contrast.

彼はライバル会社の店を潰そうとしている。

He is trying to drive the rival company's store out of business.

Volitional + to shite iru (trying to).

暇潰しにゲームをしましょう。

Let's play a game to kill time.

Himatsubushi is the noun form.

無理な練習をして、肩を潰さないように。

Don't ruin your shoulder by over-practicing.

Kata o tsubusu refers to career-ending injuries.

彼は私のメンツを潰した。

He made me lose face (ruined my dignity).

Mentsu o tsubusu is similar to kao o tsubusu.

不況のあおりを受けて、多くの企業が会社を潰した。

Hit by the recession, many entrepreneurs folded their companies.

Kaisha o tsubusu used for bankruptcy/closing down.

相手のチャンスを確実に潰すのが彼のプレースタイルだ。

His playing style is to surely crush the opponent's chances.

Abstract crushing in a competitive context.

証拠を潰すために、彼は書類をすべて燃やした。

To destroy the evidence, he burned all the documents.

Shouko o tsubusu (destroying evidence).

彼は酒で身を潰してしまった。

He ruined himself (his health/life) with alcohol.

Mi o tsubusu (to ruin oneself).

その一言が、会議の雰囲気を完全に潰した。

That one word completely crushed the atmosphere of the meeting.

Fun'iki o tsubusu (crushing the mood).

彼は天才的な才能を持っていたが、環境がそれを潰した。

He had genius talent, but the environment crushed it.

Crushing potential or talent.

このネジの頭を潰さないように回してください。

Please turn it so as not to strip the head of this screw.

Neji o tsubusu (to strip a screw).

彼は借金で家を潰した。

He lost his house (family fortune) due to debt.

Ie o tsubusu (to ruin the family lineage/fortune).

権力者が反対派の芽を早いうちに潰そうとしている。

Those in power are trying to nip the opposition in the bud (crush the buds).

Me o tsubusu is a metaphor for nipping something in the bud.

その法案は、野党の猛反対によって潰された。

That bill was crushed by the fierce opposition of the minority parties.

Passive form used for political obstruction.

彼はプライドを木っ端微塵に潰された。

His pride was crushed to smithereens.

Koppamijin adds emphasis to the destruction.

新技術が既存の市場を潰していくのは世の常だ。

It is the way of the world that new technology crushes existing markets.

V-te iku showing a continuing progression.

彼は独裁的な手法で、部下の個性を潰している。

He is crushing his subordinates' individuality with his dictatorial methods.

Describing psychological suppression.

そのスキャンダルは、彼の政治生命を完全に潰した。

That scandal completely destroyed his political career.

Seiji seimei o tsubusu (to end a political life).

彼女はライバルの自信を言葉巧みに潰していった。

She skillfully crushed her rival's confidence with her words.

Methodical destruction of an abstract quality.

不祥事の隠蔽工作が、結果的に会社を潰すことになった。

The cover-up of the scandal resulted in ruining the company.

Koto ni naru expressing a result.

グローバル化が地方の伝統産業を押し潰している。

Globalization is crushing local traditional industries.

Oshitsubusu (to crush under weight).

彼は自らの野心のために、他人の幸福を平気で潰せる男だ。

He is a man who can nonchalantly crush others' happiness for his own ambition.

Potential form used to describe character.

情報の洪水が、私たちの思考力を潰しているのかもしれない。

The flood of information might be crushing our ability to think.

Philosophical usage of the verb.

その一派は、異論を徹底的に潰すことで組織の団結を図った。

That faction aimed for organizational unity by thoroughly crushing any dissenting opinions.

Iron-fisted control nuance.

市場の独占は、健全な競争の芽を潰す行為に他ならない。

Market monopolization is nothing other than an act that crushes the seeds of healthy competition.

Formal rhetoric 'ni hoka naranai'.

彼は自らの過ちによって、先祖代々の家名を潰してしまった。

He ended up ruining the family name passed down for generations due to his own mistakes.

Kamei o tsubusu (highly formal/traditional context).

沈黙によって真実を潰すことはできない。

The truth cannot be crushed by silence.

Abstract/Poetic usage.

その都市開発計画は、古き良き街並みの情緒を潰してしまった。

The urban development plan ruined the atmosphere of the good old streetscape.

Emotional/Aesthetic destruction.

Häufige Kollokationen

暇を潰す

顔を潰す

声を潰す

会社を潰す

チャンスを潰す

空き缶を潰す

ニキビを潰す

計画を潰す

才能を潰す

芽を潰す

Häufige Phrasen

暇潰し

— A noun meaning 'killing time' or 'a pastime.' It is very common.

暇潰しにスマホをいじる。

握り潰す

— To crush with a grip, or metaphorically to suppress information.

彼はその不祥事を握り潰した。

押し潰される

— To be crushed or overwhelmed by something heavy (physical or mental).

プレッシャーに押し潰される。

踏み潰す

— To crush by stepping on something.

空き箱を踏み潰す。

言い潰す

— To silence someone by out-arguing them (less common).

論理で相手を言い潰す。

潰しがきく

— To have skills that are versatile and useful in other jobs/fields.

この資格があれば潰しがきく。

面目を潰す

— To cause someone to lose their honor or dignity.

親の面目を潰すような真似はするな。

薬を潰す

— To crush medicine into powder to make it easier to take.

錠剤を潰して飲む。

イチゴを潰す

— A standard phrase for preparing fruit for desserts.

イチゴを潰してミルクをかける。

店を潰す

— To cause a shop to go out of business.

あいつの代で店を潰した。

Wird oft verwechselt mit

潰す vs 潰れる (tsubureru)

This is the intransitive version. Use 'tsubureru' when something collapses on its own or the agent is not the focus.

潰す vs 壊す (kowasu)

General word for breaking. Use 'tsubusu' specifically for crushing/flattening.

潰す vs 砕く (kudaku)

Use for smashing hard things like ice or rocks into pieces, whereas 'tsubusu' is for mashing or flattening.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"暇を潰す"

— To kill time. Spending time on something trivial while waiting.

映画館で暇を潰す。

Neutral

"顔を潰す"

— To make someone lose face. Damaging someone's reputation or dignity.

みんなの前で彼の顔を潰した。

Sensitive

"芽を潰す"

— To nip something in the bud. Destroying something before it can develop.

才能の芽を潰してはいけない。

Neutral

"声を潰す"

— To ruin one's voice, usually through shouting or singing.

大声を出して声を潰した。

Informal

"会社を潰す"

— To bankrupt a company. Usually implies bad management.

放漫経営で会社を潰す。

Neutral

"メンツを潰す"

— To damage someone's prestige or honor.

ライバルのメンツを潰す。

Neutral

"チャンスを潰す"

— To blow an opportunity or ruin a chance.

ミスをしてチャンスを潰した。

Informal

"雰囲気を潰す"

— To ruin the mood or atmosphere of a place.

彼の冗談が雰囲気を潰した。

Informal

"身を潰す"

— To ruin oneself through vice or poor choices.

ギャンブルで身を潰す。

Literary

"家を潰す"

— To bring ruin to one's family or household name.

ドラ息子のせいで家を潰した。

Traditional

Leicht verwechselbar

潰す vs 練る (neru)

Both are used in cooking with dough or pastes.

Tsubusu is mashing (downward force), Neru is kneading (folding/stretching).

じゃがいもを潰してから、生地を練る。

潰す vs 磨る (suru)

Both involve breaking down ingredients.

Suru is grinding (like with a pestle), Tsubusu is mashing.

ゴマを磨る。イチゴを潰す。

潰す vs 畳む (tatamu)

Both involve making something smaller/flat.

Tatamu is folding neatly (like clothes/business), Tsubusu is crushing/destroying.

服を畳む。空き缶を潰す。

潰す vs 潰す (tsubusu) vs 殺す (korosu)

Both can mean 'killing' something.

Korosu is for living things. Tsubusu is for time or objects (though 'mushi o tsubusu' results in death).

時間を潰す (Kill time). 虫を殺す (Kill a bug).

潰す vs 負かす (makasu)

Both can mean defeating an opponent.

Makasu is just winning, Tsubusu is utterly crushing/breaking the opponent.

試合で相手を負かす。徹底的に相手を潰す。

Satzmuster

[Object] を潰します。

バナナを潰します。

[Place] で [Time] を潰す。

本屋で時間を潰す。

[Action] で [Body Part] を潰す。

歌いすぎて声を潰す。

[Person] の [Face/Reputation] を潰す。

父の顔を潰す。

[Reason] で [Business] を潰す。

不景気で店を潰す。

[Object] を [Adverb] 潰す。

徹底的に芽を潰す。

[Object] は [Agent] に潰された。

計画は反対派に潰された。

[Abstract Concept] を押し潰す。

孤独が心を押し潰す。

Wortfamilie

Substantive

暇潰し (himatsubushi - killing time)

押し潰し (oshitsubushi - crushing)

Verben

潰れる (tsubureru - to be crushed/intransitive)

押し潰す (oshitsubusu - to squash)

握り潰す (nigiritsubusu - to crush in hand/ignore)

Adjektive

潰れた (tsubureta - crushed/bankrupt/broken)

Verwandt

壊す (kowasu)

砕く (kudaku)

磨り潰す (suritsubusu)

踏み潰す (fumitsubusu)

叩き潰す (tatakitsubusu)

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frequency

High (Top 2000 words in daily conversation)

Häufige Fehler

Using 'tsubusu' for a broken computer. → kowasu (壊す)
Unless you literally flattened the computer with a hammer, use 'kowasu' for electronic failure.
Saying 'Kaisha ga tsubushita' for 'The company went bankrupt.' → Kaisha ga tsubureta (会社が潰れた)
Use the intransitive 'tsubureru' when the company is the subject that failed.
Pronouncing it 'subusu'. → tsubusu
The 'ts' sound is essential. 'Subusu' is not a word.
Using 'tsubusu' for kneading bread dough. → neru (練る)
Kneading involves folding and stretching, while 'tsubusu' is just mashing down.
Using 'hima o tsubusu' to mean 'I am bored.' → hima da (暇だ)
'Hima o tsubusu' is the action of killing time, not the state of being bored.

Tipps

Transitive Power

Always remember that 'tsubusu' needs an object. You are the one doing the crushing. If a company fails on its own, use 'tsubureru'.

The Time Killer

Memorize 'hima o tsubusu' as a single block. It's the most frequent way you'll use this verb in daily life.

Mind the Face

Be extra careful with 'kao o tsubusu.' It's a strong expression that implies a serious social injury. Use it mostly to understand others' concerns.

Kitchen Verb

In recipes, 'tsubusu' is your go-to for garlic, berries, and potatoes. It's a fundamental culinary verb.

The 'Tsu' Sound

Practice the 'tsu' sound. It's not 'su' and it's not 'tu.' It's like the end of 'cats.' This is vital for being understood.

Kanji Breakdown

The kanji 潰 includes the water radical. Think of a dam 'crushing' or 'bursting' under the weight of water to remember it.

Versatility

If someone says 'tsubushi ga kiku,' take it as a compliment! It means you have valuable, flexible skills.

Accidents

Use '~te shimau' with 'tsubusu' to show you didn't mean to crush something: 'Tsubushite shimatta!' (I accidentally crushed it!)

Eco-Tip

In Japan, you'll often see signs asking you to 'kan o tsubushite' (crush the cans) before recycling. It's good manners!

Competitive Edge

In sports, 'tsubusu' isn't just winning; it's shutting down the opponent's best player or their main strategy.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Imagine you are 'TSU' (two) 'BU' (bulls) 'SU' (smashing) everything in a china shop. They crush and mash everything they see!

Visuelle Assoziation

Picture a heavy 'TSU'nami 'BU'rsting through a 'SU'bway, crushing all the empty cans on the tracks.

Word Web

Crush Mash Flatten Bankrupt Kill Time Lose Face Ruin Voice Smash

Herausforderung

Try to use 'hima o tsubusu' in a sentence today when you are waiting for something. Then, think of one thing in your kitchen you can 'tsubusu' (like garlic or a can) and say the action out loud.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Old Japanese verb 'tsubusu'. It shares roots with other words related to roundness or fullness being compressed. The kanji '潰' consists of the water radical '氵' and '貴' (valuable/heavy), originally referring to water overflowing or banks bursting, later evolving to mean the collapse or crushing of a structure.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To collapse, to burst, to break down.

Japonic

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful using it regarding people's body parts or businesses, as it carries a very heavy and negative connotation.

Similar to 'killing time' or 'crushing it' (though 'tsubusu' is usually literal destruction, not necessarily 'doing great' like the English slang).

Used frequently in the manga 'Kaiji' regarding gambling and crushing opponents. Commonly heard in 'Shokugeki no Soma' (Food Wars) when mashing ingredients. A staple verb in Yakuza films when discussing ruining rival families.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Cooking

じゃがいもを潰す
ニンニクを潰す
イチゴを潰す
フォークで潰す

Waiting

暇を潰す
時間を潰す
暇潰しに
カフェで潰す

Business

会社を潰す
店を潰す
計画を潰す
交渉を潰す

Social/Face

顔を潰す
メンツを潰す
名声を潰す
面目を潰す

Physical/Accident

缶を潰す
箱を潰す
虫を潰す
ネジの頭を潰す

Gesprächseinstiege

"待ち合わせまであと1時間あるけど、どうやって時間を潰す？ (We have an hour until the meeting, how should we kill time?)"

"ポテトサラダを作る時、じゃがいもは完全に潰す派？それとも形を残す派？ (When making potato salad, do you mash the potatoes completely or leave chunks?)"

"あそこの古い喫茶店、ついに潰れちゃったみたいだよ。 (It seems that old cafe over there finally went out of business.)"

"カラオケに行きすぎて声を潰したことある？ (Have you ever ruined your voice from going to karaoke too much?)"

"リサイクルの時、ペットボトルは潰してから捨てる？ (Do you crush plastic bottles before throwing them away for recycling?)"

Tagebuch-Impulse

今日は友達を待っている間、どうやって時間を潰しましたか？ (How did you kill time today while waiting for a friend?)

あなたが今までで一番「顔を潰された」と感じた経験はありますか？ (Have you ever had an experience where you felt you 'lost face'?)

料理で何かを潰す作業は好きですか？その理由も教えてください。 (Do you like the task of mashing things in cooking? Please tell me why.)

もし自分が会社を経営していたら、何を一番大切にして、会社を潰さないようにしますか？ (If you ran a company, what would you value most to keep it from failing?)

最近、何か「チャンスを潰してしまった」と思ったことはありますか？ (Have you recently felt that you 'ruined a chance'?)

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Not exactly. 'Hima o tsubusu' is neutral, like 'filling time' while waiting. If you want to say you 'wasted' time regretfully, use 'jikan o muda ni shita' instead. 'Tsubusu' implies you had time to spare and used it on something.

This is a common idiom meaning 'to have versatile skills.' If a job or skill 'tsubushi ga kiku,' it means even if your current company 'tsubusu' (fails), you can easily find work elsewhere because your skills are broadly applicable.

The word itself isn't rude, but the actions it describes can be aggressive. Telling someone 'Omae o tsubusu!' (I'll crush you!) is very aggressive. Using it for cooking or killing time is perfectly polite and normal.

You say 'jagaimo o tsubusu.' If you are making them into a smooth puree, you might also use 'uragosu' (to strain), but for standard mashing, 'tsubusu' is the correct verb.

'Oshitsubusu' (push-crush) emphasizes the pressure or the weight from above. You use it when something is flattened by a heavy object. 'Tsubusu' is the general term for any kind of crushing or mashing.

Only if it was physically crushed or flattened. If it just stopped working or the screen cracked from a drop, 'kowasu' (to break) or 'kowareta' (is broken) is more appropriate.

Yes, it's a very important concept. It refers to embarrassing a superior or partner, which is a major faux pas. Avoiding 'kao o tsubusu' is a key part of Japanese business etiquette.

It means your voice has become hoarse or you've lost it entirely due to strain. It's common among singers, teachers, or people who went to a loud concert or karaoke session.

Yes! Popping bubble wrap is 'puchipuchi o tsubusu.' It's a very common and satisfying use of the word.

Since it's a Godan verb ending in 'su,' you change the 'u' to 'e' and add 'ru.' So, 'tsubusu' becomes 'tsubuseru' (can crush).

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