损坏 (sǔn huài) is a verb meaning 'to damage' or 'to break', indicating that something has been harmed, impaired, or rendered less functional—often unintentionally. The first character 损 (sǔn) means 'to harm' or 'to impair', while 坏 (huài) means 'broken', 'spoiled', or 'damaged'; together, they form a compound verb emphasizing the deterioration of an object’s condition or integrity. It is commonly used for physical objects (e.g., electronics, machinery, furniture) and abstract concepts like health or reputation.

This word carries a neutral-to-formal register and appears frequently in technical, safety, or maintenance contexts—for instance, in warnings ('小心轻放，以免损坏'), insurance claims, or medical reports ('长期吸烟会损坏肺功能'). Unlike more colloquial alternatives like 弄坏 (nòng huài), 损坏 is preferred in written or official communication and rarely used for intentional destruction (for which 毁坏 huǐ huài is more appropriate).