ichidan verb, intransitive verb
break into pieces; shatter; be smashed
Intransitive: the thing itself breaks, shatters, or is smashed into pieces. The transitive counterpart is 砕く.
グラスが床に落ちて、粉々に砕けた。
The glass fell to the floor and shattered to pieces.
The wave broke against the rocks.
ichidan verb, intransitive verb
collapse; crumble; be dashed; lose force
Figurative extension: hopes, plans, momentum, enthusiasm, or fighting spirit lose their force as if broken apart.
長年の夢が、その知らせで砕けた。
His long-held dream was shattered by the news.
彼の戦意はその一撃で砕けた。
His will to fight was broken by that one blow.
ichidan verb, intransitive verb
become less formal; become approachable; be put in plain terms
Used when speech, attitude, atmosphere, or explanation becomes less stiff. With explanations or stories, it can mean becoming plain and easier to understand.
See also: くだけた
話しているうちに、彼の口調がだんだん砕けてきた。
As we talked, his tone gradually became more relaxed.
この入門書は説明が砕けていて、初心者にも読みやすい。
This introductory book explains things plainly, so it is easy for beginners to read.
ichidan verb, intransitive verb
Rare and old-fashioned use, mainly understandable in fixed or literary expressions such as 気が砕ける.
古い言い回しでは、「気が砕ける」が心配で落ち着かないことを表す場合がある。
In old-fashioned phrasing, 気が砕ける can express being worried and unable to settle down.