war damage; ravages of war; horrors of war
Refers to the destruction, suffering, and tragedy caused by war. Often used in formal or journalistic contexts.
The country is recovering from the ravages of years of war.
There were almost no areas that escaped the war damage.
This village has long been ravaged by war.
That old temple fortunately escaped the ravages of war.
Many citizens are suffering from the horrors of war.
The conflict spread its devastation even into the neighboring country.
戦争被害 is a plain, neutral term for damage caused by war, while 戦禍 is a more emotionally charged, literary word for the same thing.
惨禍 is a broader literary word for any terrible calamity or disaster, whereas 戦禍 specifically refers to the calamity caused by war.
戦禍 emphasizes the calamities and suffering caused by war, whereas 戦火 can also literally mean the fires of war itself.
戦火 and 戦禍 are pronounced identically but 戦火 literally means the 'flames/fires of war' (i.e. fighting or combat itself), while 戦禍 means the damage and suffering that result from war.
Compound of 戦 (war) and 禍 (calamity, misfortune). The kanji 禍 is used in words related to disaster or misfortune.