Meanings of 灾害
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About 灾害
Podcast: 灾害
Podcast: 灾害
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AI Study Notes for 灾害
灾难 (zāinàn): Use 灾害 (zāihài) when emphasizing the impact or consequences of a disaster; use 灾难 (zāinàn) when focusing on the event itself or the notion of calamity.
Imagine a huge wave crashing down on a village, representing a disaster (灾) and the resulting havoc (害). The wave's force is so strong that it causes destruction, making it memorable that 灾害 signifies calamity and damage.
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 灾害: both characters are pronounced with the first tone and the fourth tone, respectively. Common collocations include '自然灾害' (natural disasters) and '人为灾害' (man-made disasters). This term is generally used in formal contexts related to emergencies and safety.
As an HSK Level 5 word, 灾害 connects to other vocabulary regarding environmental issues and safety. Students should practice using it in sentences about natural phenomena to enhance their understanding and context.
In China, discussions about 灾害 are often tied to government planning and response, especially in the context of earthquakes and floods, which are frequent due to the country's geography. The term reflects the seriousness with which these events are treated in policy and social discourse.
Learners may confuse 灾害 with more general terms for problems or issues, such as 问题 (wèntí). For instance, saying '这个灾害很小' (This disaster is small) instead of '这个灾害的影响很小' (The impact of this disaster is small) misses the nuance of the term.
Pronunciation of 灾害
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Component Characters
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Practice writing 灾害 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 灾害
灾害 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 5 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.
Complete the Sentence
很显然，自然____也是造成该大陆经济危机的原因之一。
Natural disasters have obvi-ously contributed to the continent's economic crisis.
Example Sentences for 灾害 (2)
Cultural Notes for 灾害
In China, discussions about 灾害 are often tied to government planning and response, especially in the context of earthquakes and floods, which are frequent due to the country's geography. The term reflects the seriousness with which these events are treated in policy and social discourse.
While disasters are universally acknowledged, the Chinese cultural emphasis on collective response and government responsibility in disaster management contrasts with more individualistic approaches often seen in Western cultures.
Frequently Asked Questions about 灾害
Common examples include earthquakes (地震), floods (洪水), and typhoons (台风).