Translation guide
The English word "harm" can refer to physical injury, damage, negative effects, or the act of causing such effects. In Japanese, the most common equivalents are 害 (gai) and 被害 (higai), but the best choice depends on whether you are talking about harm in the abstract, harm suffered, or the act of harming. This guide covers the main ways to express these ideas naturally.
Referring to harm in the abstract, often as something that can be caused, prevented, or suffered. This is the most common use.
cause harm · do harm · prevent harm · suffer harm
A general term for harm, damage, or injury. Often used in compounds or with verbs like 与える (ataeru, to give) or 及ぼす (oyobosu, to exert). It can refer to physical, mental, or social harm.
喫煙は健康に害を及ぼす。
Smoking causes harm to health.
その薬は副作用の害が少ない。
That medicine has little harmful side effects.
Refers to harm or damage suffered, especially from disasters, crimes, or accidents. It emphasizes the experience of being harmed.
台風で大きな被害が出た。
The typhoon caused a lot of harm/damage.
彼は詐欺の被害にあった。
He fell victim to fraud (suffered harm from fraud).
Often used for financial or material harm, loss, or damage. Common in legal or business contexts.
会社は多額の損害を受けた。
The company suffered a large amount of harm/loss.
Refers to harm or injury, often physical and with a sense of danger. Used in phrases like 危害を加える (to inflict harm).
彼は他人に危害を加えることはない。
He won't do harm to others.
Expressing the action of causing harm, injury, or damage. This often uses verbs rather than nouns.
To hurt or injure, both physically and emotionally. Very common for emotional harm.
彼の言葉は彼女を深く傷つけた。
His words deeply harmed/hurt her.
その事故で彼は足を傷つけた。
He injured his leg in the accident.
A more formal verb meaning to harm, damage, or impair. Often used with abstract objects like health, reputation, or environment.
To harm, damage, or impair something abstract like health, beauty, or balance. Often used in set phrases.
Literally 'to give harm'. A common phrase meaning to cause harm or damage.
その化学物質は環境に害を与える。
The chemical substance harms the environment.
Talking about the harmful result of an action, often in phrases like 'do more harm than good' or 'no harm done'.
Negative influence or adverse effect. Very common when discussing harm as a consequence.
その政策は経済に悪影響を与えた。
The policy had a harmful effect on the economy.
Evil influence or harmful effect, often used for systemic or social harm.
To be harmful (to). A common colloquial pattern.
食べ過ぎは体の害になる。
Overeating is harmful to your body.
Specifically referring to physical injury or trauma.
Injury (physical). The most common word for bodily harm.
彼は事故で大けがをした。
He suffered serious harm/injury in the accident.
Injury or harm, often used in legal or medical contexts (e.g., bodily injury).
English often uses 'harm' as a noun, but Japanese often prefers verb phrases or adjectives like 危ない (abunai, dangerous) or 悪い (warui, bad). For example, 'It won't do any harm' is often better as 悪いことにはならない or 問題ない rather than a literal translation with 害.
少しぐらい遅れても問題ない。
There's no harm in being a little late.
害 (gai) is the general concept of harm. 被害 (higai) is harm suffered, often from an external cause like a disaster or crime. 損害 (songai) is typically financial or material loss. Use 被害 for 'victim of harm' and 損害 for 'damages' in a legal/business sense.
その行為は会社の評判を害する。
That action harms the company's reputation.
過労は健康を損なう。
Overwork harms your health.
その制度には多くの弊害がある。
That system has many harmful effects.
彼は傷害罪で起訴された。
He was charged with inflicting bodily harm.