sǔnhuài: 损坏 - To Damage, To Break

• Keywords: sunhuai, 损坏, sǔnhuài meaning, how to say damage in Chinese, broken in Chinese, Chinese verb for break, damage vs destroy in Chinese, 破坏, 坏了, Chinese for spoiled
• Summary: 损坏 (sǔnhuài) is a fundamental Chinese verb used to describe something being damaged, broken, spoiled, or ruined. It's a versatile and common term, especially in written or formal contexts, for everything from a broken phone to a damaged shipment or even a tarnished reputation. Understanding 损坏 is key to discussing problems, filing reports, and understanding public notices in the Chinese-speaking world.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): sǔn huài
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To damage, break, spoil, or cause something to lose its original function or value.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 损坏 (sǔnhuài) as the standard, slightly formal way to say something is “damaged.” While you might casually tell a friend your phone is `坏了 (huài le - broken)`, you would use 损坏 on the official repair form. It implies a loss of utility or integrity, whether through an accident, wear and tear, or intentional action. It's the word you see on signs that say “Do not damage public property” and in contracts discussing liability for damaged goods.

• 损 (sǔn): This character means “to decrease,” “to harm,” or “loss.” It's composed of the hand radical `扌` on the left, suggesting an action, and `员 (yuán)` on the right, which here primarily serves a phonetic purpose. The core idea is an action that causes a reduction or loss.
• 坏 (huài): This character means “bad,” “broken,” or “to spoil.” It's made of the earth/soil radical `土 (tǔ)` on the left and `不 (bù - not)` on the right (a modern simplification). A simple way to remember it is that something “not good” has “returned to the earth” — it's spoiled or broken.
• Together, 损 (damage/loss) + 坏 (bad/broken) form a compound word that means “to be damaged and broken.” This combination gives it a more formal and comprehensive feel than using `坏` alone.

损坏 (sǔnhuài) highlights the distinction between formal and informal language that is crucial in Chinese culture. While English speakers might use “broken” in almost any situation, Chinese speakers are more likely to switch registers. Using 损坏 instead of the more colloquial `坏了 (huài le)` signals a degree of seriousness, officialness, or politeness. This is especially true in situations involving property that isn't one's own, or in commercial and legal contexts. When you damage a hotel's property, the staff will discuss the `损坏` of the item and the need for `赔偿 (péicháng - compensation)`. This isn't just about vocabulary; it reflects a cultural norm of using precise, formal language when dealing with matters of responsibility, liability, and official record-keeping. This can be contrasted with the Western tendency to maintain a casual tone even in some service interactions. The use of 损坏 sets a more formal frame, clearly defining the situation as a problem to be officially addressed, rather than just a casual mishap. It's a small linguistic choice that upholds a sense of order and accountability.

损坏 is frequently encountered in specific, practical situations:

• Formal Reports and Insurance: This is the primary context. When filling out a damage report for a lost package, a car accident, or a broken item under warranty, 损坏 is the correct and expected term.
  • “The item was damaged upon arrival.” (货物送达时已损坏。)
• Public Notices and Signage: You will see 损坏 on signs in parks, museums, subways, and historical sites.
  • “Please do not damage public property.” (请勿损坏公物。)
  • “Violators will be fined for any damage.” (如有损坏，照价赔偿。)
• Product Manuals and Warranties: The terms and conditions for electronics, appliances, and other goods will use 损坏 to describe what kinds of damage are (or are not) covered.
  • “The warranty does not cover damage caused by misuse.” (因使用不当造成的损坏，不在保修范围内。)
• Abstract Damage (Less Common in Speech): In formal writing, news, or legal discussions, 损坏 can be used for intangible things.
  • “To damage one's reputation.” (损坏名誉)
  • “To damage the nation's image.” (损坏国家形象)

• Example 1:
  • 我的新手机不小心掉在地上，屏幕损坏了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de xīn shǒujī bù xiǎoxīn diào zài dìshàng, píngmù sǔnhuài le.
  • English: I accidentally dropped my new phone on the floor, and the screen was damaged.
  • Analysis: This is a common, slightly formal way to describe what happened. Using `损坏` here sounds a little more serious than simply saying `坏了 (huài le)`.
• Example 2:
  • 快递包裹在运输途中被损坏了，我需要申请赔偿。
  • Pinyin: Kuàidì bāoguǒ zài yùnshū túzhōng bèi sǔnhuài le, wǒ xūyào shēnqǐng péicháng.
  • English: The delivery package was damaged during transit, I need to apply for compensation.
  • Analysis: The passive voice with `被 (bèi)` is very common with `损坏`. This is the perfect vocabulary for a formal complaint or request.
• Example 3:
  • 请勿损坏公园里的花草树木。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng wù sǔnhuài gōngyuán lǐ de huācǎo shùmù.
  • English: Please do not damage the flowers and trees in the park.
  • Analysis: A classic example from a public sign. `请勿 (qǐng wù)` is the formal way to say “Please don't.”
• Example 4:
  • 这本书被水浸湿，有些页面损坏得无法阅读了。
  • Pinyin: Zhè běn shū bèi shuǐ jìn shī, yǒuxiē yèmiàn sǔnhuài de wúfǎ yuèdú le.
  • English: This book was soaked with water, and some pages are damaged to the point of being unreadable.
  • Analysis: The `得 (de)` particle is used here to describe the extent of the damage. The result is `无法阅读 (wúfǎ yuèdú - unable to read)`.
• Example 5:
  • 任何人为损坏都需要照价赔偿。
  • Pinyin: Rènhé rénwéi sǔnhuài dōu xūyào zhàojià péicháng.
  • English: Any man-made damage must be compensated according to the price.
  • Analysis: `人为 (rénwéi)` means “man-made” or “artificial.” This is a common phrase found in rental agreements or hotel policies.
• Example 6:
  • 硬盘损坏可能导致所有数据丢失。
  • Pinyin: Yìngpán sǔnhuài kěnéng dǎozhì suǒyǒu shùjù diūshī.
  • English: A damaged hard drive can lead to the loss of all data.
  • Analysis: A perfect example from the world of IT and technology. It describes a state of hardware failure.
• Example 7:
  • 他承认自己的行为损坏了公司的声誉。
  • Pinyin: Tā chéngrèn zìjǐ de xíngwéi sǔnhuài le gōngsī de shēngyù.
  • English: He admitted that his actions had damaged the company's reputation.
  • Analysis: This shows the use of `损坏` for an abstract concept, `声誉 (shēngyù - reputation)`. This is formal and often seen in news reports.
• Example 8:
  • 这台机器的几个零件已经损坏，需要更换。
  • Pinyin: Zhè tái jīqì de jǐ gè língjiàn yǐjīng sǔnhuài, xūyào gēnghuàn.
  • English: Several parts of this machine are already damaged and need to be replaced.
  • Analysis: `零件 (língjiàn)` means “parts” or “components.” This sentence is typical for a maintenance or repair context.
• Example 9:
  • 由于台风，我们农场的温室损坏严重。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú táifēng, wǒmen nóngchǎng de wēnshì sǔnhuài yánzhòng.
  • English: Due to the typhoon, the greenhouses on our farm were severely damaged.
  • Analysis: `严重 (yánzhòng)` is an adverb meaning “severely” or “seriously,” often paired with `损坏` to describe the extent of the damage.
• Example 10:
  • 如果产品在保修期内非人为损坏，我们可以免费维修。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ chǎnpǐn zài bǎoxiū qī nèi fēi rénwéi sǔnhuài, wǒmen kěyǐ miǎnfèi wéixiū.
  • English: If the product is damaged not due to human error within the warranty period, we can repair it for free.
  • Analysis: A typical sentence from a warranty policy. `非人为 (fēi rénwéi)` means “not man-made,” i.e., a defect.

• `损坏 (sǔnhuài)` vs. `坏了 (huài le)`: This is the most critical distinction.
  • `坏了 (huài le)`: Informal, spoken, very common. It means “it's broken/bad.” Use this when talking to friends and family. “哎呀，我的电脑坏了！” (Āiyā, wǒ de diànnǎo huài le! - Oh no, my computer is broken!)
  • `损坏 (sǔnhuài)`: More formal, often written. It means “it has been damaged.” Use this on official forms, signs, and in serious discussions. “客户报告设备已损坏。” (Kèhù bàogào shèbèi yǐ sǔnhuài. - The client reports the equipment has been damaged.)
• `损坏 (sǔnhuài)` vs. `打破 (dǎpò)`:
  • `打破 (dǎpò)` specifically means “to smash” or “to shatter,” usually by impact. It's for things like glass, cups, windows, or even breaking a record.
  • `损坏` is a general term for any kind of damage. A water-logged phone is 损坏, but not `打破`. A shattered glass is both `打破` and `损坏`.
• `损坏 (sǔnhuài)` vs. `破坏 (pòhuài)`:
  • `损坏` usually refers to unintentional damage or damage that makes something non-functional.
  • `pòhuài` means “to destroy” or “to sabotage.” It implies a more severe, often intentional, act of destruction. Vandals `破坏` a statue; an earthquake can `破坏` a city.
• Common Mistake: Do not use `损坏` for people. It is only for inanimate objects or abstract concepts. To describe harming a person, you use `shānghài` (to injure/hurt).
  • Incorrect: ~~他损坏了我的胳膊。~~ (Tā sǔnhuài le wǒ de gēbo.)
  • Correct: 他弄伤了我的胳膊。 (Tā nòng shāng le wǒ de gēbo. - He injured my arm.) or 他伤害了我。 (Tā shānghài le wǒ. - He hurt me.)

• pòhuài - (To destroy, sabotage) More severe and often more intentional than `损坏`. It implies destruction, not just damage.
• nònghuài - (To make something broken) A very common colloquial verb. It emphasizes the action that caused the item to break, e.g., “I broke it” (`我把它弄坏了`).
• huài - (Bad, broken, spoiled) The simplest and most common word. `损坏` is a more formal version built from this character.
• dǎpò - (To smash, shatter) A specific type of breaking, usually from a physical blow. Used for glass, pottery, etc.
• shānghài - (To injure, harm, hurt) The correct verb for causing physical or emotional harm to living things. The “human” equivalent of `损坏`.
• sǔnshāng - (Harm, injury, damage) Often used for damage to parts of a larger whole, like organ damage or damage to a reputation. It can bridge the gap between physical objects and living things.
• gùzhàng - (Malfunction, breakdown) Specifically for machines and electronics. A machine has a `故障` because a part is `损坏`.
• péicháng - (To compensate, pay for damages) The action that is often required after something has been `损坏`.