destruir
/des-TROO-eer/
destroy
Destruir (to destroy) often means causing complete physical ruin.
destruir(verb)
destroy
?to cause complete ruin
,demolish
?a building or structure
ruin
?to damage beyond repair
📝 In Action
El terremoto destruyó muchos edificios antiguos.
B1The earthquake destroyed many old buildings.
Tuvimos que destruir la evidencia antes de que llegara la policía.
B2We had to destroy the evidence before the police arrived.
El fuego destruyó completamente el bosque en pocas horas.
B1The fire completely destroyed the forest in a few hours.
💡 Grammar Points
Irregular 'Y' Ending
In the present tense and subjunctive, the 'i' in the root changes to a 'y' when it is next to a vowel and is unstressed (e.g., 'yo destruyo'). This is the main irregularity.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the 'y' change
Mistake: "Yo destruo (incorrect)"
Correction: Yo destruyo. Remember the 'y' sound helps smooth the pronunciation when the 'i' is weak.
⭐ Usage Tips
Stronger than 'Romper'
Use 'destruir' when something is completely annihilated or ruined. If you just broke a glass, use 'romper'. If you destroyed an entire factory, use 'destruir'.
Destruir can also mean to ruin abstract things, like confidence or hopes.
destruir(verb)
ruin
?reputation, hopes, confidence
,wreck
?a relationship or career
shatter
?dreams or illusions
,dismantle
?a system or organization
📝 In Action
Sus mentiras destruyeron la confianza de sus amigos.
B2His lies ruined his friends' trust (confidence).
La crisis económica destruyó miles de empleos.
C1The economic crisis destroyed thousands of jobs.
Si sigues bebiendo así, te vas a destruir.
B2If you keep drinking like that, you are going to destroy yourself (ruin your life).
💡 Grammar Points
Using the Reflexive Form (Destruirse)
When you use 'destruirse,' it means the subject is destroying or ruining itself. This is common when talking about self-sabotage or self-harm (e.g., 'Él se está destruyendo con el trabajo').
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on the Outcome
When used figuratively, 'destruir' emphasizes that the result is complete and irreversible ruin, whether it's a feeling, a relationship, or a system.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: destruir
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses the figurative meaning of 'destruir'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'destruir' change the 'i' to a 'y' sometimes?
This happens in Spanish verbs where the vowel 'i' is unstressed and sits between two other vowels (or sounds like it is). The 'y' acts as a bridge to make the word flow more smoothly, like in 'destruyó' (he destroyed) or 'destruyendo' (destroying).
Is 'destruido' usually written with an accent mark?
No. Unlike some other -uir verbs, the past participle 'destruido' generally does not require a written accent mark over the 'i' because the stress naturally falls there, making it a common pattern that doesn't need the mark to break a diphthong.