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破坏

pòhuài
verb★Intermediate💡 to destroy or damage
general

To destroy or damage something physically or structurally.

地震破坏了许多建筑物。

The earthquake destroyed many buildings.

💡

Can refer to physical destruction or severe damage to objects, systems, or structures.

general

To disrupt or sabotage something, often intentionally.

黑客试图破坏公司的网络安全系统。

The hacker attempted to sabotage the company's network security system.

💡

Can also imply intentional interference or disruption.

Collocations

破坏环境to damage the environment破坏关系to damage relationships破坏计划to sabotage plans

Synonyms

毁坏损坏破坏性

Antonyms

修复保护维护

Related Phrases

破坏性行为phrase
destructive behavior
破坏性力量phrase
destructive force

💡Pro Tip

Literal vs. Figurative Use

破坏 can refer to physical destruction (e.g., buildings) or abstract disruption (e.g., plans, relationships).

⚡Gold Rule

Common Collocations

破坏 is often paired with objects (e.g., 破坏环境) or actions (e.g., 破坏计划).

📖Word Origin

Combination of 破 (pò, 'to break') and 坏 (huài, 'bad' or 'damaged').

📝Usage Notes

Can be used both literally (physical destruction) and figuratively (disruption or sabotage).

Word Breakdown

破
to break
root
+
坏
bad or damaged
root
汉英词典

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