壊れる

• Reading: こわれる
• Romaji: kowareru
• Kanji breakdown: 壊 (kai/kowa) — break, destroy; earth radical (土) + phonetic element
• Pronunciation: /ko.wa.ɾe.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To be broken; to break down; to fall apart; to stop working.

A Group 2 (ichidan) intransitive verb. Describes something breaking on its own or ceasing to function. Forms a transitive-intransitive pair with 壊す (kowasu, to break something). Used for machines, objects, and buildings. The てしまう form 壊れてしまった expresses regret about something breaking.

Examples

1. 洗濯機が壊れてしまいました。 The washing machine broke down.
2. このおもちゃはすぐ壊れる。 This toy breaks really easily.
3. 地震で古い建物が壊れた。 Old buildings were damaged in the earthquake.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, appliances, accidents

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 壊 combines the earth radical (土) with a complex phonetic element, suggesting structures built from earth crumbling and falling apart.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal