synonym Comparative
壊す
VS
寂れる
Differences Between "壊す" and "寂れる"
Option A
壊す
Meaning
to break; to destroy; to ruin (health); to wreck
Reading
こわす (kowasu)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
オフィスのレイアウト変更の際、彼は古いデスクの上のデリケートな精密機械の液晶ディスプレイをうっかり_______しまいました。
During the layout change of the office, he accidentally broke the liquid crystal display of the delicate precision machinery on the old desk.
Option B
寂れる
Meaning
to decline; to decay; to go to ruin; to become desolate
Reading
さびれる (sabireru)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
かつて賑やかだった商店街も、今では寂れてしまった。
The shopping street that was once bustling has now become desolate.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(to break; to destroy; to ruin (health); to wreck)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 壊す: Refers to physically breaking objects, destroying structures, ruining one's health (overworking), or wrecking plans/relations. Transitive verb. Opposing word: 直す. Often used as おもちゃを壊す or 体を壊す. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To break/ruin! "I will never overwork myself and ruin my health, so don't worry, Haruka-san!" ...っ! N-Never ruining your health! B-Baka! Of course you shouldn't! I would be... extremely worried if you collapsed! Make sure you rest properly! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『こわす（壊す）んじゃないの！『ハルカ部長、あなたの体を温めるための生姜入り特製ハーブティー、毎晩淹れてあげますから、絶対に無理して体を壊さ（壊さない）ないでくださいね！』って…っ！無理して体を壊す！バカ！/// 私の健康をそこまで心配してくれるなんて…優しいじゃない！…でも、あんたのほうが残業で体を壊さないように、私の隣でしっかり癒されなさい！』
- 寂れる: Describes a place (town, shop, street) that loses its vitality, people, and prosperity, becoming quiet and deserted.
- 壊す: Refers to physically breaking objects, destroying structures, ruining one's health (overworking), or wrecking plans/relations. Transitive verb. Opposing word: 直す. Often used as おもちゃを壊す or 体を壊す. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To break/ruin! "I will never overwork myself and ruin my health, so don't worry, Haruka-san!" ...っ! N-Never ruining your health! B-Baka! Of course you shouldn't! I would be... extremely worried if you collapsed! Make sure you rest properly! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『こわす（壊す）んじゃないの！『ハルカ部長、あなたの体を温めるための生姜入り特製ハーブティー、毎晩淹れてあげますから、絶対に無理して体を壊さ（壊さない）ないでくださいね！』って…っ！無理して体を壊す！バカ！/// 私の健康をそこまで心配してくれるなんて…優しいじゃない！…でも、あんたのほうが残業で体を壊さないように、私の隣でしっかり癒されなさい！』
- 寂れる: Describes a place (town, shop, street) that loses its vitality, people, and prosperity, becoming quiet and deserted.
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