Translation guide
How to express the act of completely destroying or tearing down buildings, structures, or abstract things in Japanese.
To express the physical act of demolishing a building, house, wall, etc.
The most common and natural verb for demolishing buildings or structures. Implies intentional dismantling.
古い家を取り壊して、新しい家を建てた。
We demolished the old house and built a new one.
そのビルは来月取り壊される予定だ。
That building is scheduled to be demolished next month.
Often used for systematic dismantling or deconstruction, especially in technical or official contexts. Can also refer to dismantling machinery.
老朽化した橋を解体する工事が始まった。
Work to demolish the aging bridge has begun.
General verb for breaking or destroying. Can be used for demolishing, but is broader and less specific than 取り壊す.
壁を壊して部屋を広くした。
We demolished the wall to make the room bigger.
Means 'destroy' or 'demolish' with a nuance of violent or complete destruction. Often used for large-scale or forceful demolition.
地震で多くの建物が破壊された。
Many buildings were demolished by the earthquake.
To express demolishing someone's argument, theory, hopes, etc. in a debate or discussion.
Specifically means to refute or shoot down someone's argument completely. Common in debates.
彼は相手の主張を次々と論破した。
He demolished his opponent's arguments one after another.
Literally 'smash to pieces'. Used figuratively for hopes, dreams, or illusions. Can also be used for arguments.
そのニュースは彼の希望を打ち砕いた。
The news demolished his hopes.
Means 'pulverize' or 'crush'. Figuratively used for completely destroying an opponent or argument, often in political or military contexts.
敵の反論を粉砕した。
We demolished the enemy's counterargument.
To express demolishing a plan, system, relationship, etc.
Means to ruin or spoil something, making it useless or worthless. Common for plans, moods, efforts.
雨でピクニックが台無しになった。
The rain demolished our picnic plans.
A more emphatic and colloquial version of 壊す. Often used for ruining plans, atmosphere, or relationships.
彼の一言が場の雰囲気をぶち壊した。
His one remark demolished the atmosphere.
Means to cause collapse or breakdown. Used for systems, organizations, relationships.
スキャンダルが政府を崩壊させた。
The scandal demolished the government.
English 'demolish' is often used figuratively (demolish an argument, demolish hopes). In Japanese, direct translations like 破壊する sound unnatural for abstract targets. Use specific verbs like 論破する for arguments, 打ち砕く for hopes, or 台無しにする for plans.
彼の夢を破壊した。
I demolished his dream. (unnatural)
彼の夢を打ち砕いた。
I demolished his dream. (natural)