How to Use the Chinese Words for Broken: 'Pòle (broken, torn)', 'Huàile (broken)' and 'Suìle (broken to pieces) '
The word broken破了【pòle】is used for something that has a non-intentionally hole or crack in it.
坏了【huàile=broken, stop working】is used for an object is broken, not worked properly or expired.
碎了【suìle】 is often used for a fragile object that is broken into pieces (shattered), such as glass-made.
破了【pòle】, 坏了【huàile=broken, stop working】and碎了【suìle】 can also be used as metaphor.
I. Broken: 破了【pòle=broken, torn, cut】
a. The word 破了【pòle】is used for something that has a non-intentionally hole or crack in it, such as bag-pack, porcelain, skin, clothing items, paper-made.
Example 1:
His knee is cut.
他的【tāde=his】膝盖【xīgài=knee】破了【pòle=cut】。
他的 膝盖 破了。
Example 2:
My sleeping bag is torn.
我的【wǒde=my】睡袋【shuìdài=sleeping bag】破了【pòle= torn】。
我的 睡袋 破了。
Example 3:
The paper is torn.
纸【zhǐ=paper】破了【pòle=torn】。
纸 破了。
b.破了【pòle=broken】can also be used as metaphor.
Example:
I already think hard but still can’t get the answer.
Literally means," My brain already think until broken, but think not come out.
我【wǒ=I】脑子【nǎozi=brain】想【xiǎng=think】破了【pòle=broken】都【dōu】想【xiǎng=think】不【bù=not】出来【chūlai=come out】。
我 脑子 想 破了 都 想 不 出来。
Others things that use the word 破了【pòle】, such as: 证件【zhèngjiàn=certificate】, 身份证【shēnfènzhèng=ID Card】,书本【shūběn=book】, 袋子【dàizi=bag, sack】,手绢【shǒujuàn=handkerchief】, 帽子【màozǐ】, 衣服【yīfu=clothes】,手【shǒu=hand】.
II. Broken: 坏了【huàile=broken, stop working】
a. 坏了【huàile】is used for an object is broken or not worked properly such as machine, home appliances, electronic item, furniture, glasses, etc.
Example 1:
That table is broken.
那【nà=that】张【zhāng =a measure word for tables】桌子【zhuōzi=table】坏了【huàile=broken】。
那 张 桌子 坏了。
Example 2:
Older brother’s mobile phone is broken.
Older brother’s mobile phone is stop working.
哥哥【gēgē=older brother】的【de】手机【shǒujī=mobile phone】坏了【huàile=broken, stop working】。
哥哥 的 手机 坏了。
Example 3:
His glasses is broken.
他的【tāde=his】眼镜【yǎnjìng=glasses】坏了【huàile=broken】。
他的 眼镜 坏了。
b.坏了【huàile】is also used for an object that is expired such as food, beverage.
Example 1:
The bread that I just bought is already expired.
我【wǒ=I】刚【gāng=just】买【mǎi=buy】得【de】面包【miànbāo=bread】已经【yǐjīng=already】坏了【huàile= expired, broken】。
我 刚 买 得 面包 已经 坏了。
Example 2:
Soya-bean milk is expired.
豆浆【dòujiāng= soya-bean milk】坏了【huàile=expired, broken】。
豆浆 坏了。
Others things that use this word: 坏了【huàile】, such as: 蛋【dàn=egg】,牛肉【niúròu=beef】, 蛋糕【dàngāo=cake】, 电视【diànshì=TV】, 机器【jīqì=machine】, 计算机【jìsuànjī=calculator】, 照相机【zhàoxiàngjī= camera】.
c. 坏了【huàile】can also be used as metaphor.
Example:
He is crazy.
Literally means," His brain is busted/broken".
他的【tāde=his】脑子【nǎozi=brain】坏了【huàile】!
他的 脑子 坏了!
Compare that with example 2:
The doctor says, “His brain is damaged”.
医生【yīshēng=doctor】说【shuō=say】,“他的【tāde=his】脑子【nǎozi=brain】坏了【huàile】”。
医生 说,“他的 脑子 坏了”。
Here the patient’s brain is really damaged.
III. Broken:碎了【suìle=broken to pieces, smash】
a.碎了【suìle】 is often used for a fragile object that is broken into pieces (shattered), such as glass-made.
Example 1:
The bottle is smashed.
The bottle is shattered.
瓶子【píngzi=bottle】碎了【suìle=broken to pieces, smash】。
瓶子 碎了。
Example 2:
The glass is shattered.
玻璃杯【bōlibēi=glass, tumbler】碎了【suìle=broken to pieces】。
玻璃杯 碎了。
b. 碎了【suìle=broken to pieces, shattered】can also be used as metaphor, such as for dream, heart, feeling etc.
Example:
Her dream is shattered.
她的【tāde=her】梦想【mèngxiǎng= dream of】碎了【suìle=broken to pieces】。
她的 梦想 碎了。