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Words Kanji Guides About

弊害 (へいがい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

弊へい害がい

へ

い

が

い

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

noun

harmful effect; abuse; evil practice

Refers to negative consequences, abuses, or harmful influences arising from a system, policy, or practice. Often used in formal or critical contexts.

新あたらしい制せい度どの弊へい害がいが早はやくも現あらわれている。
The harmful effects of the new system are already appearing.
情

じょう

報ほう

化か

社しゃ

会かい

の

弊へい

害がい

に

つい

て

議ぎ

論ろん

する

。

We discuss the negative consequences of the information society.

Kanji

弊abuse, evil, vice
害harm, injury

Similar words

悪あく影えい響きょう
悪影響 is a broader term for 'bad influence' or 'adverse effect', while 弊害 specifically implies harm caused by a system or practice.
害がい
害 is a general word for 'harm' or 'damage'; 弊害 is more formal and often used for systemic or institutional harm.

Etymology

Compound of 弊 (へい, 'evil', 'harm') and 害 (がい, 'harm', 'damage'). The kanji 弊 originally referred to worn-out or broken things, extending to mean 'harmful' or 'abusive'.