销毁 xiāohuǐ to destroy (by melting or burning)
to destroy (by melting or burning); to obliterate
How to remember 销毁: 销 to fuse + 毁 to damage = to destroy (by melting or burning).
Characters
How it is used
- 'To destroy (by burning/melting), obliterate' - documents, evidence, weapons - 销毁证据 (xiāohuǐ zhèngjù) destroy evidence; 销毁武器 (xiāohuǐ wǔqì) scrap weapons.
- Formal; implies deliberate, complete destruction so nothing remains. 销 = melt away + 毁 = destroy.
- Contrast 破坏 (pòhuài, damage/sabotage); 销毁 is total elimination, often of physical items.