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March 24, 2026
害hài(hai4)
The character 害 (hài) primarily means 'to harm' or 'to injure' someone or something. It is commonly used in contexts referring to causing trouble or distress, whether physically, emotionally, or socially. This word can also imply broader meanings related to evil or calamity, often used in discussions about negative consequences.
Strokes10Radical宀Frequency#1494DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of causing harm can be linked to the importance of harmonious relationships. The idea of 'doing harm' can reflect not just physical injury but also social or familial shame, emphasizing the need for social responsibility.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person holding a sign that says 'Harm' while standing in front of a house (家) where bad things happen. The 'H' in 'Harm' can remind you of the 'h' sound in hài, while the house symbolizes the destruction or trouble that this character represents.
Meanings of 害
hài(hai4)
1to do harm to
2to cause trouble to
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 害
害Simplified
10Strokes
宀Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1494Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 害
Podcast: 害
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AI Study Notes for 害
Quick Contrast
害 (hài) vs 损 (sǔn) — use 害 when referring to harm that causes distress or trouble, while 损 emphasizes loss or damage without the emotional connotation.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person holding a sign that says 'Harm' while standing in front of a house (家) where bad things happen. The 'H' in 'Harm' can remind you of the 'h' sound in hài, while the house symbolizes the destruction or trouble that this character represents.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 害 with similar verbs like 伤 (shāng, to injure) or 损 (sǔn, to damage). 害 is more focused on intentional harm or negative consequences and is often used in negative contexts. Watch out for the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning completely.
HSK Study Tips
While 害 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it is useful for learners at HSK 4 and above because it connects with other words related to danger (危险 wēixiǎn) and harm (伤害 shānghài). Focus on its usage in expressing negative outcomes to enrich your vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of causing harm can be linked to the importance of harmonious relationships. The idea of 'doing harm' can reflect not just physical injury but also social or familial shame, emphasizing the need for social responsibility.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes misuse 害 as a general term for 'hurt' without recognizing its stronger connotation of intentional harm. For example, saying '我害了他' (I hurt him) can imply malice, while '我伤了他' (I injured him) is more neutral.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 害
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Grammar Patterns of 害
害 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Similar shape, but has a different meaning related to water.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to do harm to"?
or
Usage Notes for 害
Misuse of ContextCommon Error
Learners often confuse 害 with other similar verbs like 伤 (shāng, to injure). 害 specifically implies harm or trouble that is caused intentionally or as a consequence.
Is the recycling process in itself damaging to the environment?
Cultural Notes for 害
💡Did you know?
'害' can be found in various phrases in Chinese, such as '害怕' (to be afraid) and '害羞' (to be shy). This shows how the concept of harm can extend to emotional states.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of causing harm can be linked to the importance of harmonious relationships. The idea of 'doing harm' can reflect not just physical injury but also social or familial shame, emphasizing the need for social responsibility.
Word Family of 害
Compounds11
瞎xia1blind
割ge1to cut
辖xia2to govern
嗐hai4alas!
搳
犗
鎋
磍
縖
螛
轄xia2to control, to have jurisdiction; the linchpin of a wheel
Words Containing This Character20
伤害shānghàito injure傷害
害怕hàipàto be afraid
厉害lìhaiferocious厲害
害hàiharm
受害者casualty
损害sǔnhàiharm損害
杀害shāhàito murder殺害
危害wēihàito harm
受害人shòuhàirénvictim
有害yǒuhàidestructive
害羞hàixiūshy
灾害zāihàicalamity災害
侵害qīnhàito encroach on
陷害xiànhàito entrap
被害人victim
遇害to be murdered
迫害pòhàito persecute
受害shòuhàidamaged
自然灾害natural disaster自然災害
要害yàohàivital part
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 瞎 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 害
Common phrases with 害 include 害怕 (hài pà), which means 'to be afraid', and 害人 (hài rén), which translates to 'to harm others'. These phrases illustrate how 害 can convey both fear and the act of causing harm.
Yes, 害 carries a negative connotation in Chinese as it relates to harm and trouble. It is often used in contexts that describe negative impacts or consequences, emphasizing the detrimental effects of actions.
害 (hài) means 'to do harm to' or 'to cause trouble to'. It can also refer to harm, evil, or calamity. This character is commonly used in many contexts to express the idea of causing damage or negative consequences.
To use 害 in a sentence, you can say something like '这件事会害到很多人' (This matter will harm many people). 害 can be used in various contexts, often paired with other characters to describe specific situations or actions that cause harm.
You can say, '这件事情会害到很多人' (This matter will harm many people).
Synonyms include 伤害 (shānghài, to injure) and 损害 (sǔnhài, to damage), but be mindful of their specific nuances.
Generally, 害 has a negative connotation and is not used in positive contexts. It is best reserved for discussions about harm or trouble.
