Usage patterns 〈 場ば 所しょ 〉 で 災さい 害がい が 発はっ 生せい する for a disaster to occur (in a place)
A major disaster occurred in that area.
災さい 害がい に 見み 舞ま われる to be struck by a disaster
Last year, that village was struck by a major disaster.
災さい 害がい に 備そな える to prepare for a disaster
We always need to be prepared for disasters.
災さい 害がい から 復ふっ 興こう する to recover/rebuild from a disaster
The town is gradually rebuilding after the disaster.
災さい 害がい を 防ふせ ぐ to prevent a disaster
Taking early measures can prevent disasters.
Related words· 9 災難 usually refers to a personal misfortune or accident, while 災害 describes a large-scale disaster affecting a whole community or region.
天災 refers specifically to a natural disaster (earthquake, typhoon, etc.), while 災害 is the broader term covering both natural and man-made catastrophes.
災害 is the broad term for natural or man-made disasters, while 惨事 stresses the tragic, often fatal outcome of a specific event.
災害 is a general term covering any kind of disaster (natural or man-made), whereas 震災 specifically denotes an earthquake-caused disaster.
Show 5 more Show fewer 災害 is the standard term for a concrete natural or man-made disaster (earthquake, flood, etc.), while 災い is more literary and can cover abstract or spiritual misfortune too.
災害 refers to the disaster itself (earthquake, flood, etc.), whereas 被害 refers to the resulting damage or harm caused by it.
災害 refers to a full-scale disaster with widespread damage, while 異変 can describe a smaller-scale or early warning sign that doesn't rise to that level.
災害 is a broad term covering any kind of disaster (floods, storms, etc.), while 大震災 is specifically a major earthquake disaster.
災害 is the general word for any disaster (earthquake, typhoon, etc.), while 水害 specifically means damage caused by water/flooding.
Don't confuse with 被害 means the damage or harm caused by an event, whereas 災害 refers to the disaster event itself, so they are easily confused but not interchangeable.
災害 is a general term for any disaster (earthquake, flood, fire, etc.), while 火災 refers specifically to a disaster caused by fire.
災害 refers broadly to disasters (natural or man-made), whereas 労災 specifically denotes an accident, injury, or illness occurring in the workplace.
災害 is the disaster event itself (e.g. an earthquake or flood), while 被災 describes being affected or damaged by such an event.
Word family· 37 great disaster; major catastrophe
nuclear disaster
disaster-stricken area; disaster area
disaster-level; extreme; severe
secondary disaster
Show 5 more Show fewer man-made disaster; human-induced disaster
accidents in line of duty; work-related accidents for public employees
work-related injury or death; occupational accident
landslide disaster; sediment disaster
industrial injury; employment injury
See all 37 in Explore →
Etymology Compound of 災 (calamity, misfortune) and 害 (harm, damage). The kanji combination has been used in Chinese and Japanese to refer to disasters and calamities.
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