隳 (huī) - To destroy & to ruin

隳Tone 1

huī ｜ 17 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

隳 · huī

To destroy;

to ruin;

to demolish;

to cause to fall into ruin.

To destroyto ruinto demolish

Usage highlights

Destroy a cityRuin reputationDemolish wallsCause to collapseDestroy and abandonUtterly destroy

Synonyms

  • 毁— to destroy; to damage
  • 坏— to ruin; to spoil
  • 灭— to extinguish; to destroy
  • 破— to break; to destroy

Antonyms

  • 建— to build; to construct
  • 立— to establish; to set up
  • 兴— to prosper; to flourish
  • 修— to repair; to build

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The invading army sought to raze the city (隳城).
  • His actions led to the destruction of his family's reputation (隳家声).
  • The tyrant's goal was to demolish all opposition (隳反对派).
  • Years of neglect caused the ancient temple to fall into ruin (隳废).

Collocations

  • Destroy a city(隳城)
  • Ruin reputation(隳名)
  • Demolish walls(隳墙)
  • Cause to collapse(隳颓)
  • Destroy and abandon(隳弃)
  • Utterly destroy(隳灭)

Idioms

  • Razing the walls and leveling the moats(隳城陷阵)
  • To destroy one's integrity and ruin one's conduct(隳节败名)
  • To demolish the old and establish the new(隳旧立新)
  • To have one's ambition destroyed(壮志隳颓)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Often appears in classical texts and historical narratives describing military conquests or the fall of dynasties.
  • Carries a strong negative connotation, associated with wanton destruction and the collapse of order.
  • Used in literary contexts to emphasize complete and utter ruin, not merely damage.

FAQ