godan verb (-ku), transitive verb
break into pieces; smash; crush; shatter; grind; pound
Physical action of breaking something solid into smaller pieces or powder by force.
彼はハンマーで岩を砕いた。
He smashed the rock with a hammer.
スパイスをすり鉢で砕いて粉にする。
Grind the spices into powder using a mortar.
godan verb (-ku), transitive verb
shatter (hopes, confidence); crush (spirit); frustrate
Metaphorical use: destroying someone's emotional state, expectations, or morale.
その知らせは彼の希望を完全に砕いた。
The news completely shattered his hopes.
厳しい批判が彼の自信を砕いた。
The harsh criticism crushed his confidence.
godan verb (-ku), transitive verb
simplify; make easy to understand
Used for breaking down complex ideas or explanations into simpler terms; often appears as 噛み砕く.
難しい概念を噛み砕いて説明した。
I explained the difficult concept in simple terms.
この本は経済学を砕いて教えてくれる。
This book teaches economics in an easy-to-understand way.