‘打碎’ is a compound verb meaning ‘to smash’ or ‘to shatter’—it describes the action of breaking something brittle or fragile into pieces, often unintentionally or with force. The first character 打 (dǎ) is a versatile verb meaning ‘to hit’ or ‘to strike’, while 碎 (suì) means ‘broken into pieces’ or ‘fragmented’. Together, they emphasize the physical act of causing something to break apart completely, not just crack or chip. It’s commonly used with objects like glass, ceramics, mirrors, or light bulbs.

This verb typically takes a direct object (e.g., ‘打碎杯子’ — ‘smash a cup’) and often implies suddenness, accident, or loss of integrity. It’s neutral in register—used in everyday speech, news reports, and instructions—but rarely in formal writing unless describing an incident. Unlike some other break-related verbs (e.g., 破 or 裂), 打碎 specifically conveys complete fragmentation, not partial damage or natural deterioration.