The Japanese verb 破る (yaburu) is often translated into English as break or tear. At first, this may seem straightforward. However, the actual usage of yaburu is much broader. It can describe physical acts like tearing paper, but also abstract actions such as breaking a promise, breaking silence, or breaking a record. In this article, we will examine each of these main uses, looking at what kinds of objects can take yaburu as their verb, how it corresponds to English, and what nuances learners should keep in mind.
1. Tearing Paper
Explanation
The most basic meaning of yaburu is to tear thin materials such as paper or cloth. This is a visible, concrete action, and one of the easiest senses to grasp. From this physical meaning, the verb has extended to more abstract situations.
English correspondence
In this sense, yaburu corresponds to "tear" or "rip". English "break" is not used for this meaning.
Possible objects
紙(かみ) paper, 手紙(てがみ) letter, 布(ぬの) cloth, 袋(ふくろ) bag
Examples
- 彼女(かのじょ)は手紙(てがみ)を破(やぶ)った。
She tore the letter. - 子(こ)どもが袋(ふくろ)を破(やぶ)って中身(なかみ)をこぼした。
The child tore the bag and spilled the contents.
2. Breaking a Promise
Explanation
When used with promises, yaburu refers to betraying or failing to keep something that should have been preserved. It implies damage to trust and reliability in human relationships.
English correspondence
Here, yaburu matches English "break". Just like in English, you can say break a promise or break a rule.
Possible objects
約束(やくそく) promise, 規則(きそく) rule, 契約(けいやく) contract, 協定(きょうてい) agreement
Examples
- 彼(かれ)は約束(やくそく)を破(やぶ)った。
He broke his promise. - 彼(かれ)らは協定(きょうてい)を破(やぶ)った。
They broke the agreement.
3. Breaking Silence
Explanation
Chinmoku o yaburu (沈黙を破る, break the silence) means ending a long period of silence or stillness. In Japanese, silence is often imagined as a sheet or fabric that can be torn apart by sound.
English correspondence
In this case, English also uses "break": break the silence. The basic meaning corresponds, but the Japanese expression carries a slightly stronger metaphorical image.
Possible objects
沈黙(ちんもく) silence, 静寂(せいじゃく) stillness, 静けさ(しずけさ) quiet
Examples
- 彼女(かのじょ)の声(こえ)が沈黙(ちんもく)を破(やぶ)った。
Her voice broke the silence. - 車(くるま)の音(おと)が夜(よる)の静寂(せいじゃく)を破(やぶ)った。
The sound of a car broke the stillness of the night.
4. Breaking Records
Explanation
When used with records, yaburu means surpassing previous standards or limits. This usage is common in sports and competitions. Unlike breaking a promise, breaking a record carries a positive meaning: progress, achievement, or success.
English correspondence
This corresponds directly to English break a record.
Possible objects
記録(きろく) record, 世界記録(せかいきろく) world record, 自己記録(じこきろく) personal record
Examples
- 彼(かれ)は世界記録(せかいきろく)を破(やぶ)った。
He broke the world record. - 彼女(かのじょ)は自己記録(じこきろく)を破(やぶ)って優勝(ゆうしょう)した。
She broke her personal record and won.
Final Thoughts
By looking at these examples, we can see that yaburu applies to a wide range of situations, from physical acts to abstract concepts. Often it corresponds to English break, but for physical objects like paper or cloth, English requires tear or rip. Understanding this variety of uses will help learners sound more natural and capture the nuance of Japanese expressions more accurately.