Meaning and Usage
The verb '부서지다' means 'to break' or 'to be broken,' typically referring to objects that shatter, crack, or break apart due to impact or pressure. It is an intransitive verb, so the subject itself undergoes the breaking.
Common Contexts
You will often hear '부서지다' used when talking about fragile items like glass, ceramics, or branches that break due to external forces like dropping or strong wind.
Collocations and Patterns
- '부서지다' with objects like '유리잔' (glass), '그릇' (bowl), '나무 가지' (tree branch) to describe breaking.
- '힘을 줘도 부서지다' to express fragility.
- Often used with past tense '-았다/-었다' to describe completed breaking events.
Register and Politeness
'부서지다' is neutral and commonly used in everyday conversation and writing. It is neither formal nor informal.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '부서지다' with '깨지다,' which also means 'to break.' '깨지다' is more general and often used for glass or eggs, while '부서지다' emphasizes breaking into pieces or shattering. Use '부서지다' when the object breaks into multiple parts or is crushed.