Definition
灾害 (zāi hài) is a general noun for a disaster or calamity, typically natural (e.g., floods, earthquakes) but also man-made. Compared to 灾难 (zāi nàn), which emphasizes a more catastrophic, tragic event, 灾害 is the more neutral, everyday term used in compounds like 自然灾害 and official contexts. The simpler 灾 (zāi) appears in specific compound terms (水灾, 旱灾) but is less common as a standalone noun.
noun
disastercalamity
Measure word · 个
Examples
- 灾害。Zhè cì zāi hài yǐngxiǎng le zhěnggè chéngshì.This disaster affected the entire city.
- 灾害。Zhèngfǔ zhèngzài nǔlì jiǎnshǎo zāi hài dài lái de sǔnshī.The government is working hard to reduce the losses caused by the disaster.
- 灾害。Yùfáng zāi hài xūyào quán shèhuì de gòngtóng nǔlì.Preventing disasters requires the joint efforts of the whole society.
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