disaster, calamity, woe, curse, evil
災 centers on destructive misfortune: a disaster or calamity that brings woe, often seen as a curse or evil event.
災 combines 巛 (river) and 火 (fire), representing two major natural disasters: flood and fire. The character visually suggests calamity from water or fire.
A river 巛 flows above a fire 火, a scene of flood and flame—a perfect image of disaster.
For サイ, imagine a disaster so great that people sigh in despair: sigh -> サイ, as flood and fire bring calamity.
calamity; disaster; misfortune
suffering (from a disaster); being hit (by an earthquake, typhoon, etc.); falling victim (to)
conflagration; fire
great earthquake (disaster); highly destructive earthquake
disaster preparedness; prevention of damage resulting from a natural disaster; protection against disaster
earthquake disaster
disaster; calamity; misfortune; trouble; woes
work-related injury; work-related illness; work-related death; on-the-job accident
calamity; misfortune; disaster
Great Kanto earthquake (1923)
natural disaster; natural calamity; act of God
calamity; disaster; accident
man-made calamity
war damage
good health
fire alarm
disaster; accident; calamity; catastrophe
suffering (from a calamity); affliction
disaster certificate; document certifying that one is a disaster victim
zero accidents (in the workplace)