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A1 verb 8 min read

파괴하다

Examples 파괴하다 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 파괴하다 in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should understand '파괴하다' as a basic word for 'to destroy.' Even though it's a bit formal, it's a key word for talking about big things like buildings or nature. You will mostly see it in simple sentences like 'The robot destroys the city' or 'Fire destroys the house.' At this stage, focus on the basic 'Subject + Object + 파괴하다' structure. Don't worry too much about the complex Hanja origins yet; just think of it as a 'big' version of the word 'break.' It is useful for describing pictures of disasters or action scenes in movies. Remember to use the object particle -을/를 with the thing being destroyed.
At the A2 level, you can start using '파괴하다' to talk about the environment, which is a common topic in Korean language tests and textbooks. You should be able to say things like 'Pollution destroys nature' (오염이 자연을 파괴합니다). You will also start encountering the passive form '파괴되다' (to be destroyed). It's important to recognize that '파괴하다' is more serious than '부수다' (to break). If you use '파괴하다' for a small thing like a pencil, it sounds like a joke. Use it for houses, forests, or cities. You can also start using it with simple abstract nouns like 'peace' (평화).
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At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '파괴하다' in both physical and abstract contexts. You will see it used in news articles and more complex stories. You should understand how it differs from '훼손하다' (to damage) or '망치다' (to ruin). At this level, you might talk about how 'technology destroys traditional culture' or how 'stress destroys health.' You should also be familiar with the noun form '파괴' (destruction). For example, '환경 파괴' (environmental destruction) or '건물 파괴' (building destruction). You are expected to use proper honorifics and conjugations with this verb in various social settings.
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At the B2 level, you should understand the nuance '파괴하다' brings to formal writing and discussions. You will use it to discuss social issues, economic theories (like 'creative destruction'), and legal matters. You should be able to distinguish between '파괴하다' and '붕괴시키다' (to cause to collapse) or '멸망시키다' (to annihilate). You will encounter this word in literature to describe the destruction of a character's hopes or dreams. Your ability to use it in the correct register—formal and written—is key. You should also understand its use in fixed expressions and collocations like '증거 파괴' (destruction of evidence) or '생태계 파괴' (destruction of the ecosystem).
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At the C1 level, you are expected to use '파괴하다' with a high degree of precision. You will use it in academic essays and professional reports to describe the dismantling of systems, paradigms, or logical structures. You should understand the subtle connotations it carries in political discourse, such as the 'destruction of democracy' or 'destruction of the rule of law.' You should also be able to use it metaphorically in sophisticated ways, such as '파괴적인 혁신' (disruptive/destructive innovation). At this level, you are not just using the word; you are using it to convey specific emotional or rhetorical weight in your speech and writing.
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At the C2 level, '파괴하다' is a tool for nuanced expression. You understand its historical and philosophical implications. You can discuss the concept of '파괴' in the context of post-structuralism or art history. You can use it in highly formal legal or diplomatic contexts where every word carries significant weight. You are also aware of how the word has evolved in modern slang or media. You can distinguish between the literal physical destruction and the systemic unraveling of complex entities. Your usage of '파괴하다' will be indistinguishable from a native speaker, reflecting a deep understanding of Korean Hanja roots and modern linguistic trends.
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Examples

파괴하다 in 30 Seconds

  • 파괴하다 (pagoe-hada) is a formal Korean verb meaning 'to destroy' or 'to demolish' physical and abstract things.
  • It comes from Hanja roots 破 (break) and 壞 (ruin), implying a serious and irreversible level of damage.
  • Commonly used in news for disasters, environmental issues, and war, as well as for abstract concepts like peace or trust.
  • It differs from '부수다' (break/smash) and '망치다' (ruin/mess up) by its scale, formality, and sense of total collapse.
The Korean verb 파괴하다 (pagoe-hada) is a powerful and evocative word that translates primarily to 'to destroy,' 'to demolish,' or 'to ruin.' It is a Sino-Korean word, derived from the Hanja characters 破 (파 - to break) and 壞 (괴 - to collapse or ruin). Because of its Hanja roots, it carries a sense of significant or total destruction, often implying that something has been rendered unusable or non-existent in its original form. While English speakers might use 'break' for a small toy and 'destroy' for a building, in Korean, 부수다 is often used for physical breaking, whereas 파괴하다 is used for more substantial, systemic, or large-scale destruction.
Semantic Range
This verb covers physical demolition (like buildings), abstract concepts (like peace or relationships), and environmental damage. It is the standard term used in news reports regarding war, natural disasters, or environmental issues.

폭풍이 마을 전체를 파괴했다.

Etymological Depth
The first character 破 (파) means to break or split, while 壞 (괴) means to rot, collapse, or fall down. Together, they create a meaning of breaking something down to the point of collapse. This distinguishes it from words like '고장내다' (to break a machine/cause malfunction) or '망치다' (to ruin a plan or a mood).
In daily life, you might hear this word in documentaries about the environment ('자연 파괴' - destruction of nature) or in historical dramas discussing the '파괴' of a kingdom. It is also used in computer science or legal contexts, such as '데이터 파괴' (data destruction) or '증거 파괴' (destruction of evidence). The word is formal enough for academic papers but common enough for news broadcasts. Understanding the weight of this word is crucial because using it for trivial things (like breaking a pencil) would sound overly dramatic or metaphorical, as if the pencil was a foundational pillar of existence.

전쟁은 많은 사람들의 삶을 파괴한다.

Register and Tone
It is a neutral to formal word. In informal settings, people might use '박살내다' (to smash to pieces) for physical objects, but '파괴하다' remains the standard for serious discussion. It conveys a sense of finality and severity that lighter verbs lack.

그들은 오래된 건물을 파괴하고 새 건물을 지었다.

인간의 욕심이 지구의 생태계를 파괴하고 있다.

그의 말 한마디가 우리의 신뢰를 파괴했다.

To truly master this word, you must recognize that it isn't just about 'breaking' but about 'undoing' the integrity of a structure or system. Whether it is a building being leveled by a bulldozer or a peace treaty being violated, '파괴하다' captures the essence of that loss.
Using 파괴하다 correctly involves understanding its role as a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object marked by the particles -을 or -를. The basic structure is [Subject]가/이 [Object]를/을 파괴하다. In the past tense, it becomes 파괴했다, and in the future, 파괴할 것이다.
Physical Destruction
When talking about buildings, structures, or machinery, '파괴하다' implies total demolition. Example: '지진이 도시의 절반을 파괴했습니다' (The earthquake destroyed half of the city).

군대는 적의 기지를 파괴했다.

Abstract Destruction
It is frequently used for non-physical things like peace, order, trust, or ecosystems. Example: '소음이 나의 평화를 파괴한다' (The noise destroys my peace).

그 뉴스는 국민들의 희망을 파괴했습니다.

Another common usage is in the context of rules or norms. If someone breaks a long-standing tradition or a set of rules, you can say they '파괴하다' that order. This is often seen in the phrase '창조적 파괴' (creative destruction), a term used in economics and art where old systems are destroyed to make way for new, better ones.

이 예술가는 기존의 형식을 파괴하는 것으로 유명하다.

Causality and Result
When using '파괴하다', the focus is on the agent doing the destroying. If the focus is on the state of the object, use '파괴된' (destroyed). Example: '파괴된 숲을 복구해야 합니다' (We must restore the destroyed forest).

해커가 시스템을 파괴하려고 시도했다.

무분별한 개발이 자연을 파괴하고 있습니다.

그는 자신의 삶을 스스로 파괴했다.

In summary, '파괴하다' is a versatile verb that ranges from the literal to the metaphorical. It is always used for significant impacts where the integrity of the object is compromised. Whether you are describing a scene in a movie where a robot destroys a city or discussing the sociological impact of technology on traditional values, '파괴하다' provides the necessary weight and clarity.
You will encounter 파괴하다 in various high-stakes environments. First and foremost is the news. News anchors use this word daily when reporting on international conflicts, natural disasters like earthquakes or hurricanes, and environmental reports. You will hear phrases like '기상 이변이 생태계를 파괴하고 있습니다' (Extreme weather is destroying the ecosystem).
Media and News
Journalistic language relies heavily on Sino-Korean words for precision. '파괴' is the standard noun for destruction, and '파괴하다' is its active verb form. It's used to describe the aftermath of bombings, fires, or economic crashes.

뉴스 리포터: '태풍이 해안가 건물을 모두 파괴했습니다.'

Movies and Fiction
In action and sci-fi movies, villains often threaten to '지구를 파괴하다' (destroy the Earth). It's a staple word in any high-drama script involving conflict or apocalyptic scenarios.

영화 대사: '우리는 이 세상을 파괴할 힘이 있다!'

In academic and professional settings, '파괴하다' is used to discuss the dismantling of theories, systems, or data. In a legal context, '증거 파괴' (destruction of evidence) is a serious crime. In the tech world, '데이터 파괴' refers to the secure erasure of information.

교수님: '이 새로운 이론은 기존의 패러다임을 파괴합니다.'

Daily Life Metaphors
While less common in casual small talk, you might hear it when someone is being dramatic about their life. '내 주말이 파괴됐어' (My weekend was destroyed/ruined) because of extra work.

그의 배신은 우리 사이의 우정을 파괴했습니다.

정부는 불법 건축물을 파괴하기로 결정했다.

화재가 문화재를 심하게 파괴했다.

In summary, '파괴하다' is ubiquitous in any context that involves significant change, loss, or intentional dismantling. From the 8 o'clock news to a high-stakes legal drama, this word is the primary vehicle for expressing the concept of 'destruction' in the Korean language.
When learning 파괴하다, English speakers often make mistakes by using it in contexts where 'breaking' is too minor for such a strong word. In English, you can 'destroy' a sandwich by eating it quickly, but in Korean, using '파괴하다' for food would sound like you used a sledgehammer on it.
Confusing with '부수다'
'부수다' is for physical objects, like a window or a toy. '파괴하다' is for larger or more abstract things. If you break a glass, use '깨다' or '부수다', not '파괴하다'.

Mistake: 안경을 파괴했어요. (I destroyed my glasses - sounds like a military operation). Correct: 안경을 부러뜨렸어요/부쉈어요.

Confusing with '망치다'
'망치다' means to ruin or mess up, usually a plan, a mood, or a test. You '망치다' an exam, you don't '파괴하다' it unless you physically shredded the paper and burned the school.

Mistake: 시험을 파괴했어요. (I destroyed the exam). Correct: 시험을 망쳤어요.

Another common error is forgetting the passive form. Learners often say '건물이 파괴했어요' (The building destroyed), which is grammatically incorrect unless the building is a sentient robot. You must say '건물이 파괴되었어요' (The building was destroyed).

Mistake: 환경이 파괴하고 있어요. (The environment is destroying). Correct: 환경이 파괴되고 있어요. (The environment is being destroyed).

Overusing for 'Breaking Up'
In English, we say 'he destroyed our relationship.' In Korean, while '관계를 파괴하다' is possible, it's very formal. Usually, people say '관계를 망치다' or '헤어지다' (to break up).

그 회사는 경쟁사의 평판을 파괴하려고 했다.

가뭄이 농작물을 모두 파괴했다.

범인은 증거를 파괴하기 위해 불을 질렀다.

Finally, avoid confusing '파괴' (destruction) with '폭발' (explosion). While an explosion can cause destruction, they are different words. '폭발하다' is the act of exploding, while '파괴하다' is the result of destroying something.
Korean has several words for 'breaking' or 'destroying,' each with its own nuance. Understanding these will help you choose the right word for the right situation.
파괴하다 vs 부수다
'부수다' is a native Korean word (pure Korean) and is used for physical objects in daily life. '파괴하다' is a Sino-Korean word and is more formal, often used for systems, environments, or large structures.

아이들이 장난감을 부쉈다. (The kids broke the toy - natural). 아이들이 장난감을 파괴했다. (The kids destroyed the toy - sounds like they are tiny terminators).

파괴하다 vs 훼손하다
'훼손하다' (hweson-hada) means to damage or deface. It's often used for honor (명예 훼손 - defamation) or cultural properties. It implies damage that reduces value, whereas '파괴하다' implies total destruction.

그는 나의 명예를 훼손했다. (He damaged my honor).

Other alternatives include '멸망시키다' (to annihilate/destroy a country or civilization) and '박살내다' (to smash to bits - very informal/slangy). If you are talking about a computer file, you might use '삭제하다' (to delete) or '말소하다' (to erase/obliterate).

전쟁이 왕국을 멸망시켰다.

파괴하다 vs 타파하다
'타파하다' (tapahada) means to break down or overcome, usually used for bad habits, old traditions, or conventions. It has a more positive connotation of progress.

우리는 고정관념을 타파해야 한다.

그는 망치로 벽을 부쉈다.

폭탄이 건물을 파괴했다.

By choosing the right synonym, you can express the exact degree and type of destruction you mean, making your Korean sound more natural and sophisticated.
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Examples by Level

1

로봇이 도시를 파괴해요.

The robot destroys the city.

Simple present tense with -어요.

2

불이 집을 파괴했습니다.

The fire destroyed the house.

Formal past tense -았습니다.

3

그는 장난감을 파괴했어요.

He destroyed the toy.

Past tense with -었어요.

4

무엇이 숲을 파괴합니까?

What destroys the forest?

Formal question form -습니까?

5

폭풍이 배를 파괴할 거예요.

The storm will destroy the ship.

Future tense -ㄹ 거예요.

6

괴물이 마을을 파괴하고 있어요.

The monster is destroying the village.

Present progressive -고 있어요.

7

전쟁은 나빠요. 도시를 파괴해요.

War is bad. It destroys cities.

Simple sentence structure.

8

그는 종이를 파괴했습니다.

He destroyed the paper.

Formal past tense.

1

오염이 바다를 파괴하고 있습니다.

Pollution is destroying the sea.

Formal progressive -고 있습니다.

2

사람들은 자연을 파괴하면 안 됩니다.

People should not destroy nature.

-면 안 되다 (should not).

3

지진이 많은 건물을 파괴했습니다.

The earthquake destroyed many buildings.

Past tense.

4

우리는 환경을 파괴하지 말아야 해요.

We must not destroy the environment.

-지 말아야 하다 (must not).

5

그 소음은 제 잠을 파괴했어요.

That noise destroyed my sleep.

Metaphorical use of destruction.

6

태풍이 농장을 파괴할 수 있어요.

The typhoon can destroy the farm.

-ㄹ 수 있다 (can/ability).

7

누가 이 벽을 파괴했나요?

Who destroyed this wall?

-나요? (polite question).

8

그들은 낡은 다리를 파괴하기로 했어요.

They decided to destroy the old bridge.

-기로 하다 (decide to).

1

무분별한 개발이 생태계를 파괴하고 있다.

Indiscriminate development is destroying the ecosystem.

Noun + 을/를 파괴하고 있다.

2

거짓말은 신뢰를 파괴하는 가장 빠른 길이다.

Lying is the fastest way to destroy trust.

-는 길이다 (is the way to).

3

전쟁은 무고한 사람들의 삶을 파괴했습니다.

The war destroyed the lives of innocent people.

Complex object phrase.

4

그 약은 암 세포를 파괴하는 효과가 있습니다.

The medicine has an effect of destroying cancer cells.

-는 효과가 있다 (has the effect of).

5

일부러 증거를 파괴하는 것은 범죄입니다.

Destroying evidence on purpose is a crime.

-는 것은 ...이다 (gerund subject).

6

그의 무례한 행동이 분위기를 파괴했다.

His rude behavior destroyed the atmosphere.

Abstract object '분위기'.

7

역사적인 유물을 파괴하는 행위는 용납될 수 없다.

The act of destroying historical artifacts cannot be tolerated.

Passive potential -될 수 없다.

8

새로운 기술이 기존 시장을 파괴하고 있다.

New technology is destroying the existing market.

Economic context.

1

경제학자 슘페터는 '창조적 파괴'라는 개념을 제시했다.

Economist Schumpeter presented the concept of 'creative destruction'.

Academic quotation.

2

핵무기는 인류 문명 전체를 파괴할 위력을 가지고 있다.

Nuclear weapons have the power to destroy all of human civilization.

Noun phrase with '위력'.

3

그 스캔들은 정치인의 경력을 완전히 파괴해 버렸다.

The scandal completely destroyed the politician's career.

-아/어 버리다 (completion with emotion).

4

지나친 스트레스는 면역 체계를 파괴할 수 있습니다.

Excessive stress can destroy the immune system.

Scientific context.

5

그들은 전통적인 가족 가치를 파괴한다고 비판받았다.

They were criticized for destroying traditional family values.

-는다고 비판받다 (to be criticized for).

6

데이터를 영구적으로 파괴하기 위해 특수 장비를 사용했다.

Special equipment was used to permanently destroy the data.

-기 위해 (in order to).

7

숲의 파괴는 지구 온난화의 주요 원인 중 하나입니다.

The destruction of forests is one of the main causes of global warming.

Noun form '파괴' as a subject.

8

그 영화는 기존의 장르 규칙을 파괴하는 파격적인 시도를 했다.

The movie made a radical attempt to destroy existing genre rules.

Artistic context.

1

권위주의 정권은 민주주의의 근간을 파괴하려 시도했다.

The authoritarian regime attempted to destroy the foundations of democracy.

Political terminology '근간' (foundation).

2

인간의 탐욕이 지구의 자정 능력을 파괴하고 말았다.

Human greed ended up destroying the Earth's self-purification ability.

-고 말았다 (regrettable completion).

3

이 소설은 인간 내면의 순수성이 어떻게 파괴되는지를 보여준다.

This novel shows how the purity within a human is destroyed.

Indirect question -는지.

4

사이버 공격은 국가 기간 시설을 파괴할 위험이 있다.

Cyber attacks risk destroying national infrastructure.

-ㄹ 위험이 있다 (there is a risk of).

5

그는 자신의 논리를 스스로 파괴하는 모순을 범했다.

He committed the contradiction of destroying his own logic.

Philosophical context.

6

급격한 도시화는 공동체 의식을 파괴하는 부작용을 낳았다.

Rapid urbanization resulted in the side effect of destroying community spirit.

Sociological context.

7

정부는 시장 질서를 파괴하는 행위에 대해 엄중히 대처하겠다고 밝혔다.

The government announced it would deal strictly with acts that destroy market order.

Official announcement style.

8

무분별한 정보의 확산은 진실의 가치를 파괴하고 있다.

The spread of indiscriminate information is destroying the value of truth.

Abstract concept destruction.

1

니체는 망치를 든 철학자로서 기존의 도덕 가치를 파괴하고자 했다.

Nietzsche, as a philosopher with a hammer, sought to destroy existing moral values.

-고자 하다 (intend to - very formal).

2

포스트모더니즘은 거대 서사의 구조를 파괴함으로써 새로운 시각을 제시한다.

Postmodernism presents a new perspective by destroying the structure of grand narratives.

-함으로써 (by doing).

3

생태계의 평형이 파괴될 경우, 인류는 회복 불가능한 재앙에 직면할 것이다.

If the balance of the ecosystem is destroyed, humanity will face an irrecoverable disaster.

Conditional -ㄹ 경우.

4

그 법안은 헌법이 보장하는 기본권을 파괴할 소지가 다분하다.

The bill has a high possibility of destroying the fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution.

-ㄹ 소지가 다분하다 (high probability of).

5

혁신은 종종 기존의 성공 방정식을 파괴하는 고통스러운 과정이다.

Innovation is often a painful process of destroying existing success formulas.

Metaphorical innovation.

6

전쟁의 참상은 인간의 존엄성을 근본적으로 파괴한다.

The horrors of war fundamentally destroy human dignity.

Fundamental destruction.

7

언어의 파괴는 곧 사고의 파괴로 이어진다는 주장이 있다.

There is an argument that the destruction of language leads to the destruction of thought.

Linguistic philosophy.

8

그 건축가는 공간의 경계를 파괴하여 안과 밖의 소통을 꾀했다.

The architect sought communication between inside and outside by destroying the boundaries of space.

Architectural context.

Common Collocations

환경을 파괴하다
건물을 파괴하다
평화를 파괴하다
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