po3 waai6破壞破坏

Jyutpingpo3 waai6

Yalepo waaih

動詞Common

Definition

To destroy or do great damage to something, rendering it permanently non-functional.

neutraldaily actionsdescriptions

How it's used

While often used for physical objects, this term is frequently applied to abstract concepts like trust, relationships, or atmosphere. It carries a stronger sense of malicious intent or significant, irreversible damage compared to simple breaking. It is a formal word that has been fully integrated into everyday speech.

Examples

nei5你zou6做me1咩jiu3要po3破waai6壞jan4人dei6哋go3個mou4模jing4型aa4呀？

Why did you destroy their model?

le1呢zung2種hang4行wai4為wui2會po3破waai6壞daai6大gaa1家koi3嘅gwaan1關hai6係。

This kind of behavior will destroy everyone's relationship.

Common phrases

cuk1蓄ji3意po3破waai6壞

sabotage

po3破waai6壞waan4環ging2境

damage the environment

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 爛, which describes the state of being broken or damaged rather than the act of causing the damage. Use 破壞 when describing the action of destroying something, but use 爛 when describing the resulting condition.