verb HSK 5
fěn suì
to smash to pieces · to shatter · to crush · to pulverize

Meaning

粉碎 means to break something into tiny fragments or powder, either literally (like crushing rocks) or figuratively (like destroying hopes or plans). The word emphasizes complete destruction into very small pieces. It's commonly used in both physical contexts (machinery, materials) and abstract contexts (hopes, conspiracies, theories).

Usage

This verb carries a strong sense of thorough, total destruction. It's more intense than simple 打破 (to break). In political or formal contexts, it often describes defeating enemies or foiling plots. In everyday speech, it can describe physically crushing something or metaphorically destroying someone's dreams or plans. Often used in the pattern 把...粉碎.

Examples

  1. 01
    这台机器可以把石头粉碎成粉末。
    Zhè tái shí tou fěn suì chéng fěn .
    This machine can pulverize rocks into powder.
  2. 02
    他的梦想被残酷的现实粉碎了。
    de mèng xiǎng bèi cán de xiàn shí fěn suì le.
    His dreams were shattered by harsh reality.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 粉碎
    fěn suì
    crusher, shredder
  • 把...粉碎
    ... fěn suì
    to smash... to pieces
  • 粉碎阴谋
    fěn suì yīn móu
    to crush a conspiracy
  • 彻底粉碎
    chè fěn suì
    to completely smash

Antonyms

Origin

The word combines 粉 (powder) and 碎 (broken/shattered), literally meaning 'broken into powder,' which vividly conveys the idea of complete pulverization into tiny particles.

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