撕碎 (sī suì) is a compound verb meaning 'to shred' — literally 'to tear into pieces'. The first character 撕 (sī) means 'to tear' (as with paper, cloth, or packaging), while 碎 (suì) means 'broken into small pieces' or 'shattered'. Together, they emphasize complete, forceful fragmentation, often implying intentional destruction or vigorous physical action. It’s commonly used for paper documents, letters, photos, packaging, or food wrappers — contexts where something thin and flexible is torn apart beyond reassembly.

This verb is transitive and typically takes a direct object (e.g., 撕碎纸, 撕碎合同). It carries a neutral-to-negative connotation depending on context: shredding confidential documents is practical; tearing up a love letter may signal anger or heartbreak. Unlike more technical terms like 粉碎 (fěn suì, 'to pulverize'), 撕碎 specifically involves tearing by hand or with minimal tools — not machines or crushing forces.