碎

• Pinyin: suì
• Hanzi breakdown: 碎 = 石 (stone) + 卒 (soldier/finish), stone broken into pieces

Meaning

Broken; shattered; crushed; fragmented.

Describes something that has broken into pieces or fragments. Can be used for physical objects (glass, ceramics) or figuratively (dreams, hopes). Also used in compounds like 粉碎 (smash completely) and 心碎 (heartbroken).

Examples

1. 杯子掉在地上摔碎了。 The cup fell on the ground and shattered.
2. 请把这些材料切碎，准备做馅儿。 Please chop these ingredients finely to prepare for the filling.
3. 听到这个消息，她的心都碎了。 Hearing this news, her heart was completely broken.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, accidents, emotions

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 玻璃碎了。(The glass is broken.)
• 切碎一点。(Cut it into smaller pieces.)

Don't Say

• 碎了我的计划 — while 打碎 can be used figuratively, bare 碎 is mainly for physical breaking

Origin & History

Composed of 石 (stone) + 卒 (soldier/finish), suggesting something broken down like a stone.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal