被災

• Reading: ひさい
• Romaji: hisai
• Kanji breakdown: 被 (hi) — suffer, receive, undergo; 災 (sai) — disaster, calamity
• Pronunciation: /çi.sai/

Meaning

Suffering from a disaster; being hit by a natural calamity. Falling victim to an earthquake, typhoon, or similar event.

A noun and suru-verb meaning to be affected by or suffer from a disaster. Very commonly used in news about earthquakes, typhoons, and floods. Key compounds include 被災者 (hisaisha, disaster victim), 被災地 (hisaichi, disaster-affected area), and 被災状況 (hisai joukyou, damage situation). Unlike 遭難, which implies personal peril, 被災 focuses on the broader impact of a disaster on people and communities.

Examples

1. 被災者への支援物資が届けられた。 Relief supplies were delivered to disaster victims.
2. 被災地の復興にはまだ時間がかかる。 Recovery in the disaster-affected areas will still take time.
3. 地震で被災した家族を支援するための募金活動が始まった。 A fundraizing drive has begun to support families affected by the earthquake.

Usage Guide

Context: news, disaster relief, government

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 被 (hi, suffer/receive) + 災 (sai, disaster/calamity). Literally 'to receive disaster' — to be on the receiving end of a calamity.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal