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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