Definitions

suì (verb) to break; to smash into pieces
suì (adjective) broken; fragmentary

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 碎 is a phono-semantic compound: the left radical 石 (stone) relates it to hard materials like rocks or minerals, while the right component 卒 provides the pronunciation. Its core meaning refers to the state of being broken into many small pieces, or the action of smashing something brittle until it shatters. This concept extends beyond physical fragmentation, as seen with glass or ceramics, to describe abstract things: scattered information, trivial matters, or a person who is excessively talkative about minor details.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

杯子摔了。

Bēizi shuāi suì le.

The cup fell and broke.

他把纸撕了。

Tā bǎ zhǐ sī suì le.

He tore the paper into pieces.

这些片很锋利。

Zhèxiē suìpiàn hěn fēnglì.

These fragments are very sharp.

她心地离开了。

Tā xīn suì de líkāi le.

She left heartbroken.

机器把石头粉成粉末。

Jīqì bǎ shítou fěnsuì chéng fěnmò.

The machine crushed the stone into powder.

地震后许多东西都破了。

Dìzhèn hòu xǔduō dōngxi dōu pòsuì le.

After the earthquake, many things were broken.

由于操作不当,设备零件裂了。

Yóuyú cāozuò bùdàng, shèbèi língjiàn suìliè le.

Due to improper operation, the equipment parts cracked.

这些琐的事情让人心烦意乱。

Zhèxiē suǒsuì de shìqing ràng rén xīnfán yìluàn.

These trivial things make people upset and distracted.