The word destruir comes from the Latin verb destruere, which means to destroy. The term comprises the suffix de- and the Latin word struere. The suffix de- means down or away and the word struere means to build or assemble. Together, the literal meaning is to pull down or dismantle.
Latin American Pronunciation
European Pronunciation
Destruir is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. Below are the past, present, and future tenses.
- yo destruyo
- tú destruyes
- él/ella/usted destruye
- nosotros/as destruimos
- vosotros/as destruís
- ellos/ellas/ustedes destruyen
- yo destruí
- tú destruiste
- él/ella/usted destruyó
- nosotros/as destruimos
- vosotros/as destruisteis
- ellos/ellas/ustedes destruyeron
- yo destruiré
- tú destruirás
- él/ella/usted destruirá
- nosotros/as destruiremos
- vosotros/as destruiréis
- ellos/ellas/ustedes destruirán
El incendio destruyó el 30% del bosque.
The fire destroyed 30% of the forest.
The literal meaning of the word destruir is to destroy something physically. This involves ruining or breaking something down so that it is no longer usable and left in an irreparable condition. It can also refer to purposefully dismantling something, such as breaking down a box or demolishing a house to build a new one in its place.
Predicen que el huracán destruirá parte de la ciudad.
They predict that the hurricane will destroy part of the city
El edificio está siendo destruido para construir uno nuevo.
The building is being destroyed to build a new one.
The word can also be used figuratively to mean the same thing. It is used when something causes significant harm or damage in applied situations such as relationships, reputation, or abstract concepts. Similarly, destruir is applied when ruining, or nullifying someone’s dreams and hopes.
La traición de su esposo la destruyó emocionalmente.
Her husband’s betrayal destroyed her emotionally.
Another figurative use of destruir is to describe distress or collapse due to emotional or psychological factors. It can be included in conversations about mental health and well-being, including self-destruction, such as when a person brings about their own downfall through actions like addiction or harmful behaviours.
Su adicción al alcohol está destruyéndolo.
His alcohol addiction is destroying him.
Destruir is often used with other words to provide detail or context. Below are some of the most common combinations:
- destruir algo = to destroy something
- destruir evidencia = to destroy evidence
- destruir documentos = to destroy documents
- destruir la esperanza = to destroy hope
- destruir una relación = to destroy a relationship
- destruir completamente = to destroy completely
- destruir lentamente = to destroy slowly
Spanish idioms featuring ‘destruir’
Destruirse a sí mismo
Literal translation: to destroy oneself
English meaning: to self-destruct
Destruir una esperanza
Literal translation: to destroy a hope
English meaning: to destroy someone’s dreams or hopes
