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destruir

to destroy

verb dehs-troo-EER Less Common
People & Society Crime

Usage Note

Destruir is a regular -ir verb of the huir/construir type — an unstressed i between vowels becomes y in conjugation (destruye, destruyeron). It is stronger than romper (to break) and used for total ruin. The noun is destrucción (destruction); the adjective destructivo (destructive). The opposite verb construir follows the same conjugation pattern.

Examples

"El terremoto destruyó varios edificios del centro."

Natural Translation

The earthquake destroyed several buildings in the centre.

Literal Translation

The earthquake destroyed several buildings of-the centre.

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