Translation guide
The English verb 'destroy' covers a wide range of meanings from physical demolition to ruining abstract things. This guide helps learners choose the most natural Japanese expression based on what is being destroyed and how.
To express that a physical object, building, or structure is completely broken or torn down.
The most common and general verb for breaking or destroying physical objects. Can be used for things like toys, furniture, machines, etc.
子供がおもちゃを壊した。
The child destroyed the toy.
地震で家が壊れた。
The house was destroyed by the earthquake.
A more formal or technical term for destruction, often used for large-scale or systematic destruction, like in war or disasters.
爆弾が建物を破壊した。
The bomb destroyed the building.
To crush, smash, or flatten something. Often implies destroying by applying pressure or force, like crushing a can or ruining a business.
空き缶を潰してリサイクルに出した。
I crushed the empty can and put it out for recycling.
A more emphatic or violent way to say 'destroy' or 'smash', often used in casual or rough speech.
怒って壁をぶち壊した。
He got angry and smashed the wall.
To express that something non-physical is ruined, such as a plan, mood, relationship, or opportunity.
The most common way to say 'ruin' or 'spoil' something abstract. Used for plans, fun, atmosphere, etc.
雨でピクニックが台無しになった。
The rain destroyed our picnic.
彼の一言で雰囲気が台無しになった。
His one remark destroyed the atmosphere.
Can also be used metaphorically for abstract things like relationships, trust, or atmosphere.
To bring about ruin or downfall, often used for someone's life, career, or a nation. Strong and dramatic.
ギャンブルが彼の人生を破滅させた。
Gambling destroyed his life.
To express that someone or something is completely beaten, wiped out, or rendered powerless.
To defeat decisively; to beat thoroughly. Common in sports, games, or conflicts.
我々は敵を完全に打ち負かした。
We completely destroyed the enemy.
Literally 'pulverize', used figuratively for crushing an opponent or argument.
彼の反論は相手の主張を粉砕した。
His rebuttal destroyed the opponent's argument.
To annihilate or wipe out completely, often used in military contexts.
部隊は敵を殲滅した。
The unit destroyed the enemy.
To express that an animal is killed, especially for humane reasons or pest control.
The standard term for euthanizing or culling animals, especially in official contexts.
その犬は病気のため殺処分された。
The dog was destroyed due to illness.
General verb for 'kill', can be used for animals but may sound blunt or harsh.
害獣を殺す。
Destroy pests.
To express that digital information is permanently removed.
To erase or delete data completely, often used in computing.
ファイルを完全に消去する。
Destroy the file completely.
To discard or destroy documents or data, often with a sense of official disposal.
機密文書を破棄する。
Destroy confidential documents.
壊す (kowasu) is the everyday word for breaking or destroying physical objects. 破壊する (hakai suru) is more formal and often implies large-scale or systematic destruction, like in war or engineering. Use 壊す for most daily situations.
English uses 'destroy' in many figurative ways (e.g., 'destroy the competition', 'destroyed by the news'). Japanese often uses different verbs depending on the nuance. For emotional devastation, consider 打ちのめす (uchinomesu) or ショックを受ける (shokku o ukeru) instead of a direct translation.
The lie destroyed trust.