Definition
灾 (zāi) is a standalone character meaning 'disaster, calamity', but it's more commonly used as a morpheme in compounds like 灾难 (zāi nàn) and 灾害 (zāi hài). 灾难 is the general, everyday word for a disaster or catastrophe, while 灾害 (zāi hài) specifically refers to natural or environmental calamities (e.g., floods, earthquakes). By itself, 灾 appears in more formal or literary contexts and in set phrases.
noun
disastercalamity
Easily confused
- 炼liànlook-aliketo refine (skills, writing, etc.)
- 在zàisound-alike(verb) to be (located) at; to exist; to be alive
- 灰huīlook-alike(noun) ash; dust; lime (powdery substance)
- 再zàisound-alikeagain; once more
- 灭mièlook-aliketo extinguish, to put out (a fire, light, etc.)
- 宰zǎisound-aliketo slaughter, to butcher (an animal)
- 灵línglook-alike(adjective) quick, alert, sharp; smart
- 栽zāisound-aliketo plant; to grow
Examples
- 。Zhè chǎng huǒzāi shì yì chǎng kěpà de zāinàn.This fire is a terrible disaster.
- 。Zhè cì zāinàn gěi rénmen dài lái le jùdà de sǔnshī.This disaster has brought huge losses to people.
- 。Wǒmen yīnggāi tíqián zuò hǎo fáng zāi de zhǔnbèi.We should make preparations for disaster prevention in advance.
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