Meaning and Usage
"破片" (はへん) refers to a fragment or broken piece of a larger object, often something that has shattered or broken apart. It is commonly used to describe small pieces resulting from breakage, such as glass shards, ceramic fragments, or debris from explosions.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "破片" in contexts involving accidents, explosions, or breakage where small pieces scatter. It is a neutral term and can be used in both formal and informal situations.
Collocations and Patterns
- 破片が散らばる (はへんがちらばる): fragments scatter — describes the state of pieces spreading around.
- 破片を拾う (はへんをひろう): pick up fragments — common when cleaning up broken objects.
- 爆発の破片 (ばくはつのはへん): fragments from an explosion — used in news or reports.
Usage Notes
When using "破片," speakers imply that the pieces are small and usually sharp or dangerous, so caution is often advised. A common learner mistake is confusing "破片" with "欠片" (かけら), which also means fragment but is more general and can refer to non-broken pieces or abstract fragments. "破片" specifically implies something broken or shattered.
Use "破片" when emphasizing the broken, scattered nature of the pieces, especially physical debris.