毁

• Pinyin: huǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 毁 = 臼 (mortar) + 土 (earth) + 殳 (weapon), grinding something to destruction

Meaning

To destroy; to ruin; to damage. Causing something to be completely broken or spoiled.

A strong verb implying severe or irreversible damage. Common compounds: 毁灭 (annihilate), 毁坏 (destroy), 毁容 (disfigure), 销毁 (destroy by burning), 摧毁 (demolish). Can be used for physical objects, reputations, relationships, or plans. Also used figuratively: 自毁前程 (ruin one's own future).

Examples

1. 一场大火把他收藏多年的画作全都毁了。 A fire destroyed all the paintings he had collected over many years.
2. 那条丑闻彻底毁了他在业界的名声。 That scandal completely ruined his reputation in the industry.
3. 你这样做只会毁掉我们之间的信任。 Doing this will only destroy the trust between us.

Usage Guide

Context: disasters, conflicts, warnings

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 战争毁了一切。(War destroyed everything.)
• 别让一时冲动毁了你的人生。(Don't let a moment of impulse ruin your life.)

Don't Say

• 轻微损坏用毁 (Don't use 毁 for minor damage — use 弄坏 or 损坏; 毁 implies total destruction)

Origin & History

Composed of 臼 (mortar) + 土 (earth) + 殳 (weapon/action), suggesting grinding something to dust with a weapon.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal