Synonym Boundary: "壊す", "割る", "割れる", "折れる", "打破"

When expressing "break" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "壊す", "割る", "割れる", "折れる", "打破" based on context.

• 壊す (こわす (kowasu) - Level: N4): Maps to "to break, to destroy (transitive)" and is used when Used when someone *intentionally or unintentionally* breaks something. It emphasizes the action of breaking by an agent.
• 割る (わる (waru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to break, to divide (transitive)" and is used when To intentionally break something into pieces or to divide something. It requires a subject performing the action on an object..
• 割れる (われる (wareru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to break, to crack (intransitive)" and is used when Indicates that something breaks or cracks, often unintentionally or by itself. The focus is on the object undergoing the change..
• 折れる (おれる (oreru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to break (snap); to bend; to fold; to turn (a corner)" and is used when This is an intransitive verb meaning something breaks.
• 打破 (だは (daha) - Level: N1): Maps to "to break down, to overcome, to defeat (a barrier, a system)" and is used when Implies forcefully breaking through or overcoming an existing barrier, difficulty, or system. Often used in contexts of innovation, reform, or achieving a breakthrough..

Mixing these up can easily lead to unnatural translations. Refer to the bilingual context cards below to master the boundaries!