害がいをなす

Meanings

1

expression, godan verb (-su)

cause harm; do damage

Typically used with に to mark the target of harm. Slightly formal or literary; in casual speech 害する or 傷つける are more common.

Written forms

害がいをなす
Standard kanji spelling for this expression.
害がいを成なす
Alternate kanji spelling using 成す; less common but acceptable.

Kanji

害harm, injury
成turn into, become, get

Similar words

害がいする
害する is a more direct, transitive verb meaning 'to harm' or 'to damage', often used in formal or written contexts. 害をなす is a phrasal expression with a similar meaning but slightly more literary and often used with に.
傷きずつける
傷つける means 'to hurt' or 'to wound' and is more common in everyday speech for both physical and emotional harm. 害をなす is more abstract and formal.

Etymology

Compound of 害 (harm) + を (object marker) + なす (to do, to accomplish). The verb なす is a classical form of する, giving the expression a slightly formal or literary tone.