To cause something to lose its original form, function, or integrity.
Palavra em 30 segundos
- To break or destroy a physical object.
- To cause a machine to stop working.
- To ruin something abstract like health or atmosphere.
Overview
- 1概要：壊す（こわす）は、他動詞であり、ある対象に力を加えてその形や機能、構造を損なう行為を表します。物理的な物体だけでなく、抽象的な概念に対しても広く用いられます。2) 使用パターン：目的語には物理的な対象（おもちゃ、壁、家）や、機能的な対象（機械、パソコン、時計）が来ます。また、健康や雰囲気など、目に見えないものに対しても使われます。3) 一般的な文脈：日常生活で「おもちゃを壊した」「壁を壊す」といった物理的な破壊から、「健康を壊す」「雰囲気を壊す」といった比喩的な表現まで幅広く使われます。4) 類語との比較：「壊れる」は自動詞で、結果として壊れた状態に焦点が当たります。「破壊する」はより硬い表現で、組織的に大規模に壊す場合に使われます。「壊す」は日常会話で最も一般的に使われる言葉です。
Exemplos
子供が花瓶を壊した。
everydayThe child broke the vase.
古い建物を壊して新しいビルを建てる。
formalWe will demolish the old building to build a new one.
無理をして健康を壊さないようにしてください。
informalPlease try not to ruin your health by overworking.
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
夢を壊す
to shatter someone's dreams
バランスを壊す
to upset the balance
Frequentemente confundido com
This is the intransitive counterpart. Use it when the focus is on the object being in a broken state rather than the action of breaking it.
Padrões gramaticais
How to Use It
Notas de uso
Kowasu is a neutral, everyday verb used in most situations. It is used both for physical objects and abstract concepts like health or schedules. Be careful to distinguish it from the intransitive 'kowareru' to avoid grammatical errors.
Erros comuns
Learners often use 'kowasu' when they mean 'kowareru'. Remember: if you are the one doing the action, use 'kowasu'. If the object just broke on its own, use 'kowareru'.
Tips
Focus on the transitive nature
Remember that 'kowasu' requires an agent. If you are describing an accident, use the intransitive 'kowareru' instead.
Don't confuse with 'kuzusu'
While 'kuzusu' also means to break down, it is usually used for piles of things or structures like mounds, not individual items.
Using 'kowasu' for health
In Japanese, you can 'break' your health. This reflects the cultural importance of maintaining physical balance.
Origem da palavra
The word stems from the classical Japanese 'kowasu', which has long been used to describe the act of shattering or causing structural damage. It is rooted in the concept of dismantling something that was once whole.
Contexto cultural
In Japanese culture, there is a strong emphasis on maintaining objects carefully ('mottainai'). Therefore, using the word 'kowasu' often carries a nuance of carelessness or misfortune.
Dica de memorização
Think of 'Kowasu' as 'Co-wasting'—when you break something, you are wasting its value. It sounds a bit like 'cow' crashing into things.
Perguntas frequentes
3 perguntas「壊す」は他動詞で、誰かが意図的または不注意で壊す時に使います。「壊れる」は自動詞で、何かが自然に壊れたり、結果として壊れた状態を説明する時に使います。
これは下痢をしたり、胃腸の調子が悪くなったりすることを指す慣用句です。健康状態が悪化することを比喩的に表現しています。
「破壊する」は「壊す」よりも硬い表現です。建物やシステムを意図的に完全に壊す場合など、より重々しい文脈で使われます。
Teste-se
子供が大切なおもちゃを___しまった。
「おもちゃを」という目的語があるため、他動詞のテ形「壊して」が適切です。
Pontuação: /1
Summary
To cause something to lose its original form, function, or integrity.
- To break or destroy a physical object.
- To cause a machine to stop working.
- To ruin something abstract like health or atmosphere.
Focus on the transitive nature
Remember that 'kowasu' requires an agent. If you are describing an accident, use the intransitive 'kowareru' instead.
Don't confuse with 'kuzusu'
While 'kuzusu' also means to break down, it is usually used for piles of things or structures like mounds, not individual items.
Using 'kowasu' for health
In Japanese, you can 'break' your health. This reflects the cultural importance of maintaining physical balance.
Exemplos
3 de 3子供が花瓶を壊した。
The child broke the vase.
古い建物を壊して新しいビルを建てる。
We will demolish the old building to build a new one.
無理をして健康を壊さないようにしてください。
Please try not to ruin your health by overworking.
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