损坏

• Pinyin: sǔn huài
• Hanzi breakdown: 损 = 扌(hand) + 员 (phonetic); 坏 = 土 (earth) + 不 + 衣

Meaning

To damage; to break; to impair. Describes physical harm to objects or equipment.

A formal term for causing physical damage to objects, facilities, or property. More serious than 弄坏 (to break casually). Often used in official notices, contracts, and reports regarding property damage.

Examples

1. 暴风雨损坏了大量农田和电力设施，救灾工作正在紧张进行。 The storm damaged large amounts of farmland and power facilities; relief work is underway.
2. 请爱护公共财物，损坏须照价赔偿。 Please take care of public property — you must pay for any damage.
3. 这批货物在运输途中损坏严重，我们已经向物流公司提出索赔。 This batch of goods was severely damaged during transport; we have filed a claim with the logistics company.

Usage Guide

Context: official, legal, news

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 设备已经损坏，需要更换。(The equipment is damaged and needs replacing.)
• 损坏的文件无法修复。(The corrupted files cannot be recovered.)

Don't Say

• 说'我把手机损坏了'而不是'我把手机摔坏了' (In casual speech, 损坏 sounds too formal — use 弄坏 or 摔坏 instead)

Origin & History

损 means to diminish or harm, and 坏 means bad or broken. Together they mean to damage something.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal