割れる

• Reading: われる
• Romaji: wareru
• Kanji breakdown: 割 (katsu/wa) — divide, split, break
• Pronunciation: /wa.ɾe.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To break; to crack; to split. Describes something shattering or fracturing, especially hard objects.

A Group 2 (ichidan) intransitive verb. The transitive pair is 割る (waru, to break/split something). Primarily used for glass, plates, eggs, and other breakable objects. Also used for opinions splitting (意見が割れる) or numbers being divisible.

Examples

1. ガラスのコップが落ちて割れてしまった。 A glass cup fell and shattered.
2. 地震でお皿が何枚も割れました。 Several plates broke in the earthquake.
3. このボールを投げたら窓が割れるかもしれない。 If I throw this ball, the window might break.

Usage Guide

Context: accidents, daily life, kitchen

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 割 combines 害 (harm) with 刂 (knife radical). Depicts the act of cutting or dividing something apart with force.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal