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verb HSK 4
Traditional 破壞
pò huài
to destroy · to damage · to wreck · to sabotage

Meaning

破坏 means to destroy, damage, or ruin something, whether physical objects, relationships, plans, or abstract concepts. It carries a negative connotation and implies causing harm or disruption to something's normal state or function.

Usage

This is a common verb used in both formal and informal contexts. It frequently appears in news reports about environmental damage, property destruction, or disrupted plans. Can be used with both concrete objects (buildings, equipment) and abstract concepts (relationships, atmosphere, rules).

Examples

  1. 01
    战争破坏了这座城市的许多建筑。
    Zhàn zhēng pò huài le zhè zuò chéng shì de xǔ duō jiàn zhù.
    The war destroyed many buildings in this city.
  2. 02
    我们不应该破坏自然环境。
    Wǒ men bù yīng gāi pò huài zì rán huán jìng.
    We should not damage the natural environment.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 破坏环境
    pò huài huán jìng
    to damage the environment
  • 破坏关系
    pò huài guān xì
    to ruin a relationship
  • 破坏规则
    pò huài guī zé
    to break the rules
  • 遭到破坏
    zāo dào pò huài
    to suffer damage

Antonyms

Origin

The compound combines 破 (broken/damaged) and 坏 (bad/spoiled), reinforcing the meaning of causing damage or destruction.

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