损害

• Pinyin: sǔn hài
• Hanzi breakdown: 损 = 扌(hand) + 员 (member), to reduce/damage; 害 = 宀 (roof) + 丰 + 口, harm

Meaning

To harm; to damage; to impair. Causing loss or injury.

A formal verb meaning to cause harm or damage, often used for abstract things like reputation, health, interests, or relationships. More serious and formal than 伤害. Common in legal, official, and news contexts.

Examples

1. 吸烟严重损害身体健康。 Smoking seriously damages physical health.
2. 这种行为损害了公司的声誉。 This behavior has damaged the company's reputation.
3. 任何损害消费者权益的行为都将受到处罚。 Any actions that harm consumer rights will be punished.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, health, business, news

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 这会损害你的利益。(This will harm your interests.)
• 不能损害他人权益。(You cannot damage others' rights.)

Don't Say

• 损害了一个杯子 — for physical damage to objects, use 损坏 or 弄坏; 损害 is for abstract harm

Origin & History

Compound of 损 (to lose/damage) + 害 (to harm), meaning to cause loss and harm.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal