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What is the Kanji for 'Break' and 'Tear'? | 破

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Break' and 'Tear', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Break' and 'Tear' is 破.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Break, Tear

    Reading

    kunyomiやぶ

    yabu

    onyomi

    ha

    Parts

    Stone Skin

    Example Word

    破る: tear. The Japanese verb '破る (やぶる)' primarily means 'to tear'. It is used when referring to the action of ripping or tearing something apart, such as paper or fabric. Additionally, it can be used metaphorically to describe breaking rules, promises, or records. For example: I tore the paper「紙を破った」(かみをやぶった). He broke the promise「彼は約束を破った」(かれはやくそくをやぶった). The athlete broke the world record「その選手は世界記録を破った」(そのせんしゅはせかいきろくをやぶった). This verb is versatile and can be used in both literal and figurative contexts.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    10

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    5

    Frequency

    566

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Stone

    kanji

    Meaning

    Skin

Words Using

This kanji is used in 5 words:

    word

    破れる

    Meaning

    Break, Tear

    word

    破る

    Meaning

    Tear

    word

    破綻

    Meaning

    Collapse, Failure

    word

    破産

    Meaning

    Bankruptcy

    word

    破壊

    Meaning

    Destruction

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 17 kanji contain the part 石 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Boulder

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sharpen

    kanji

    Meaning

    Certain

    kanji

    Meaning

    Foundation stone, Foundation

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sand

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hard, Stiff

    kanji

    Meaning

    Reclaim, Cultivation

    kanji

    Meaning

    Smash

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sulfur, Sulphur

    kanji

    Meaning

    Reef

    kanji

    Meaning

    Stone, Monument, Tombstone

    kanji

    Meaning

    Magnet, Porcelain

    kanji

    Meaning

    Gun, Cannon

    kanji

    Meaning

    Niter, Nitrate

    kanji

    Meaning

    Go, The game of Go

    kanji

    Meaning

    Polish

    kanji

    Meaning

    Envy, Jealous

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 5 kanji contain the part 皮 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Tire, Exhausted

    kanji

    Meaning

    Wave

    kanji

    Meaning

    Third person pronoun, He

    kanji

    Meaning

    Incur, Be subjected to

    kanji

    Meaning

    Unfold, Expose

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 破 mean?

破 means 'Break' and 'Tear'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Fifth Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N3 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.