Meaning

Primary

To Break Something

Alternatives

To Damage Something, To Destroy Something

Word Type

transitive verb, godan verb

Explanation

Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means break and this verb vocab version means to break something.

You're the one actively doing the breaking here, so there's always a direct object involved. You know this because someone is trying to sue (す) you for the things you've broken.

Reading

こわす
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This word uses the kun'yomi reading こわ, which you didn't learn with the kanji. Here's a mnemonic to help you out:

When you feel like you want to break something, you go for a koala (こわ). No, not a real koala. A beautiful ceramic koala. Watch it shatter on the ground, because you wanted to go and break it. What a jerk you are.

Context

Context Sentences

子供が、ガラス製のワニカニの置物を壊してしまったんです。

My child accidentally broke the glass WaniKani ornament.

関係を壊したくなかったので、言葉選びには気をつけました。

I was careful with my choice of words because I didn't want to damage the relationship.

無理なダイエットを続けると、体を壊す可能性があります。

Continuing an extreme diet may harm your health.

この河豚を自分なりに料理してみたんですが、お腹を壊してしまいました。

I cooked this blowfish in my own way and it wrecked my stomach.

Kanji Composition