Ichidan verb, intransitive verb

  1. to be broken, to break, to fall apart, to collapse, to be destroyed, to be damaged.
  2. to break (down), to stop working.
  3. to fall through (of a plan, deal, etc.), to collapse, to break down (of a relationship, negotiations, etc.), to be broken off, to be ruined (of an atmosphere, one's image, etc.).

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
 
 
壊れる こわれる
 
 
毀れる こわれる

Contained Kanji Breakdown

demolition, break, destroy
カイ こわ.す エ (Early Jr. High, N1)
soil, earth, ground
ド つち は (1st, N5)
to carry in the bosom or the sleeve, to wrap, to conceal
カイ エ ふところ
garment, clothes, dressing
イ ころも きぬ (4th, N2)
kettle lid radical (no. 8)
トウ (Kentei 1)
garment, (衣 variant)
net radical variant (no. 122)
モウ ボウ あみがしら