害

hài
#579 most
frequent character
evil, harm, calamity, harmful
verb
adjective
noun

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

害 uses 害 without 口, a spearhead, as both picture and sound part; it points to the first sense, to hurt or harm. The 口 at the bottom is only a distinguishing mark, separating this character from the part alone. The meaning grew to harmful, evil, disaster, and kill.

害 as a component in other characters

sound5 characters
辖割瞎豁嗐
picture1 character
割

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Example Sentences

这个行为会害到很多人。
zhègè xíngwéi huì hài dào hěnduō rén 。
This behavior will harm many people.
吸烟对健康是害处。
xīyān duì jiànkāng shì hàichù 。
Smoking is harmful to health.
他的到来给我们带来了很大的害。
tāde dàolái gěi wǒmen dàilái le hěndà de hài 。
His arrival brought us a great calamity.

Words with similar meanings

伤害shānghài
to injure
Similar in meaning as both relate to causing harm, but '伤害' often implies more physical or emotional injury.
损害sǔnhài
to damage
'损害' focuses more on the aspect of damage rather than general harm, often used in contexts involving objects or health.

Words Starting With 害

害怕hài pà
to be afraid; to be scared
害羞hài xiū
blush; shy

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