Chinese Character: 害
1. Character Basics
Radical: 宀/mián (roof)
Stroke Count: 10 strokes
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: Hài (Fourth tone)
3. Meaning
Basic Meaning: Harm; injury; damage; evil
Extended Meaning: To harm; to hurt; to damage; to cause trouble
Additional Meaning: Used to describe something harmful or negative
4. Common Words
- 害怕 (hài pà) - Fear; be afraid
Example: 他害怕黑暗。(Tā hài pà hēi àn.) - He is afraid of the dark. - 伤害 (shāng hài) - Injury; harm
Example: 不要伤害小动物。(Bù yào shāng hài xiǎo dòng wù.) - Don't harm small animals. - 害人 (hài rén) - To harm people
Example: 害人之心不可有。(Hài rén zhī xīn bù kě yǒu.) - One should not have the intention to harm others. - 有害 (yǒu hài) - Harmful
Example: 吸烟有害健康。(Xī yān yǒu hài jiàn kāng.) - Smoking is harmful to health. - 害虫 (hài chóng) - Pest; harmful insect
Example: 农民正在消灭害虫。(Nóng mín zhèng zài xiāo miè hài chóng.) - Farmers are eliminating pests.
5. Grammar & Usage
As a Noun:
- Refers to harm, injury, or damage
- Often used in phrases describing negative effects
As a Verb:
- Means "to harm" or "to cause damage to"
- Can be used with objects to indicate what is being harmed
Common Structures:
- 害 + Noun - To harm Noun (e.g., 害人 hài rén - to harm people)
- Adjective + 害 - Adjective harm (e.g., 有害 yǒu hài - harmful)
- 害 + Verb - To cause trouble (e.g., 害病 hài bìng - to fall ill)
6. Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, the concept of 害 (harm) has deep philosophical implications. Traditional Chinese thought, particularly Confucianism, emphasizes the importance of avoiding harm to others and cultivating virtue.
The idiom "害人之心不可有，防人之心不可无" (Hài rén zhī xīn bù kě yǒu, fáng rén zhī xīn bù kě wú) reflects this cultural value, meaning "One should not have the intention to harm others, but one should not lack the caution to defend against harm from others."
Additionally, the character 害 is often used in Chinese medicine and philosophy to describe imbalances or negative influences on health and well-being.
7. Example Sentence
1. 污染会危害环境。
Translation: Pollution will harm the environment.
2. 不要害怕失败。
Translation: Don't be afraid of failure.
3. 这种食物对身体有害。
Translation: This kind of food is harmful to the body.
8. Memory Tips
1. Component Breakdown: The character 害 consists of 宀(roof radical) and 口(mouth) with 丰(bountiful) inside. Imagine something under a roof causing damage or harm.
2. Visual Association: The radical 宀 suggests a house or shelter, while the lower part can be associated with something causing problems inside that shelter.
3. Pronunciation Link: The pinyin 'hài' rhymes with the English word 'high' but with a falling tone (fourth tone).
4. Common Word Association: Learn the word 害怕 (hài pà - fear) first, as it's a very common word that uses 害 and will help reinforce your memory.
5. Cultural Reference: Remember the idiom "害人之心不可有" (Hài rén zhī xīn bù kě yǒu - One should not have the intention to harm others) to connect the character with its cultural significance.