破棄する

• Reading: はきする
• Romaji: haki suru
• Kanji breakdown: 破 (ha) — break, tear; 棄 (ki) — abandon, discard
• Pronunciation: /ha.ki.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To annul; to revoke, cancel, or dispose of a contract, agreement, or document.

A Group 3 (suru) compound verb combining 破棄 (annulment/disposal) with する. Used in legal contexts for cancelling contracts or agreements, and in everyday contexts for disposing of documents or data. Also used in courts for overturning lower court rulings (判決を破棄する).

Examples

1. 契約条件に違反したため契約を破棄することにした。 We decided to cancel the contract because its terms were violated.
2. 裁判所は原判決を破棄して差し戻した。 The court overturned the original ruling and remanded the case.
3. 古い書類はシュレッダーで破棄してください。 Please dispose of old documents with a shredder.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, business, administration, data management

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 破 (ha, to break/tear) + 棄 (ki, to abandon/discard). Literally 'to break and abandon,' conveying the complete invalidation or disposal of something.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated