Usage patterns 〈 物もの 〉 が 〈 人ひと 〉 に 害がい を 与あた える for something to cause harm to someone
Smoking causes harm to your health.
〈 事こと 〉 が 害がい になる for something to become harmful
Excessive drinking becomes harmful to your health.
〈 物もの 〉 に 害がい がない for something to be harmless
This food additive is harmless.
Expressions 害がい のない harmless; innocuous; safe; benign Related words 被害 refers specifically to damage or harm actually suffered (e.g. from a disaster or crime), while 害 is the general term for harm or negative effect in the abstract.
損害 emphasizes financial or material loss, whereas 害 covers a broader range of harm including physical, moral, or abstract damage.
弊害 is a more formal word for a harmful side-effect or systemic ill (e.g. of a policy), while 害 is the plain, general word for harm.
害 is a broad word for harm or damage in general, while 毒 specifically implies a poisonous or toxic quality behind that harm.
Opposites 利益 means benefit or profit, the direct opposite of 害 , which means harm or damage.
害 means 'harm' and is the standard opposite of 利 'benefit', as seen in the compound 利害 (advantages and disadvantages).
害 means harm or damage, the general opposite of 益 (benefit), as seen in pairs like 益虫 (beneficial insect) versus 害虫 (harmful insect).
Word family· 101 Show 25 more Show fewer obstruction; hindrance; interference
infringement; violation; invasion; encroachment; trespass
harmful; hazardous
assault; violence; inflicting harm
obstruction; hindrance; inhibition; blocking
injury; bodily harm; inflicting injury
persecution; oppression
advantages and disadvantages; interests
harmful insect; pest; vermin
harm; injury; danger
harmless; non-harmful
pollution; environmental pollution; public nuisance
harmful effect; abuse; evil practice
injure; damage; harm · kill · hinder; obstruct
flood disaster; water damage
problems caused by old people; harm from gerontocracy
harm; injury; evil influence
suicide (by blade, gun, etc.)
drug-induced harm; adverse drug effects
injure; damage; harm · kill · hinder; obstruct
real harm; actual damage
salt damage
pest damage; crop damage by vermin
great harm; all harm and no benefit
storm and flood damage
See all 101 in Explore →
Etymology The kanji 害 is a phono-semantic compound; the exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it has long been used to express harm or injury.
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