毀

The glyph operates across two primary domains linked by the logic of active demolition:

1. Material Destruction: To destroy, ruin, or demolish a physical object or structure.

2. Social/Verbal Ruin: To slander, defame, or malign (the "destruction" of reputation or social standing).

Primarily used as a transitive verb; typically requires an object (the entity being destroyed or slandered).

• Agency and Intent: 毀 typically implies an active agent and conscious intent.
• Contrast with 破 (pò) and 壞 (huài): While 破 often denotes a sudden rupture or the resulting state of being broken, and 壞 can refer to natural decay or general collapse, 毀 is characterized by aggressive, intentional destruction.
• Physical Injury: When applied to the body, 毀 suggests impairment, disfigurement, or maiming (destruction of form) rather than a simple wound (傷 shāng).

Simplified variant: U+6BC1.

• For material objects: Consider "demolish," "ruin," or "destroy."
• For social/reputational contexts: Consider "slander," "defame," or "malign."
• If the context implies a passive state of ruin but 毀 is used, it likely serves to emphasize the intent behind the destruction.