損害

• Reading: そんがい
• Romaji: songai
• Kanji breakdown: 損 (son) — loss, damage; 害 (gai) — harm, injury
• Pronunciation: /soɴ.ɡa.i/

Meaning

Damage; injury; loss. Harm or detriment caused to property, reputation, or interests.

A noun that also functions as a suru verb. Used primarily in formal, legal, and business contexts. Common compounds: 損害賠償 (compensation for damages), 損害を与える (to inflict damage), 損害を受ける (to suffer damage). More formal and specific than 損 or 被害.

Examples

1. 台風で大きな損害が出た。 The typhoon caused extensive damage.
2. 会社は損害賠償を請求された。 The company was sued for damages.
3. この事故による損害は数億円に上る。 The damages from this accident amount to hundreds of millions of yen.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, insurance, news

Tone: serious

Origin & History

Compound of 損 (son, loss/damage) and 害 (gai, harm/injury). Together, 'loss and harm' — emphasizing tangible damage to property or interests.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal