25
害
Harm, Damage
JLPT N3
Interesting Fact
Japanese farmers historically had to deal with many crop-eating insects, and the language reflects their importance. 🌾🐛 The term 害虫 (gaichū) literally refers to a "harmful insect" or agricultural pest. Farmers couldn't simply ignore insects appearing in their fields because an outbreak could destroy valuable crops. Today, the same word is still commonly used for pests such as cockroaches and insects that damage plants.
Memory Trick
“🐝A giant bee gets trapped under a roof and stings everyone who comes near it, causing terrible harm—that's 害!”
Readings
Onyomi: ガイ (gai)
Kunyomi:
Example Words
害
がい (gai)
Harm
被害
ひがい (higai)
Damage
災害
さいがい (saigai)
Natural disaster
公害
こうがい (kougai)
Pollution
Example Sentence
台風で大きな被害が出ました。
たいふう で おおきな ひがい が でました。
taifuu de ookina higai ga demashita
The typhoon caused major damage.