There are many words that mean “to break” in Japanese.

Which word would you choose to describe breaking a plate in Japanese…

砕(くだ)く or 割(わ)る?

Actually, these two words differ in the state of the plate after it is broken.😆

 

[Unnatural sentence]

友達の大切な皿を砕いてしまいました。

-ともだちのたいせつなさらをくだいてしまいました。

-I broke a friend’s valuable plate.

 

Can you find a mistake?

 

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[Sensei’s correction]

友達の大切な皿を砕いてしまいました。

→友達の大切な皿を割(わ)ってしまいました。

 

皿を砕く

固(かた)いもの(＝皿)をとても小(ちい)さくする

To apply force to something solid and make it very small. To break into pieces (like powder).

break, smash, crush

 

→ ◎皿を割る

固いもの(＝皿)をいくつかに分(わ)ける

To apply force to a solid object and divide it into several pieces.

break, divide, split

 

These will be shattered.

岩(いわ rock)を砕く

チョコレートを砕く

氷(こおり ice)を砕く

 

These will be several pieces.

まど(window)を割る

コップ(cup)を割る

たまご(egg)を割る

 

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Did my explanation enhance your understanding?

割る is a JLPT N4 (Elementary level) word and 砕く is a JLPT N2 (Pre-advanced level) word.

 

N4 level is the second stage of the JLPT.

This level will allow the student to continue working on sentence building as well as new grammar points.

N2 level is the first stage of the advanced level.

This level will allow the student to work on challenging grammar points such as complex relative pronouns.

 

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