寸断

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 寸断(すんだん) refers to cutting something into pieces or disrupting a road or network so that its connections are broken.
• Basic usage: It describes heavy rain disrupting railway connections in multiple places.
  • 豪雨で鉄道網が各地で寸断された。

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Focus on broken connections
  • 中断(ちゅうだん) can describe stopping an activity partway through. 寸断 emphasizes broken routes or connections, as in 道路が寸断される.