Japanese word

公害

Pronunciation

Romajikōgai

Meaning

  • nounpollution

Example

この町では公害が問題になっています。ko no machi de wa kō gai ga mon dai ni na tte i ma su

Pollution is a problem in this town.

Illustration for 公害 (pollution)

More examples

子どもたちは社会科で公害の歴史を学びました。ko do mo ta chi wa sha kai ka de kō gai no reki shi o mana bi ma shi ta

The children learned about the history of pollution in social studies.

Core concept

Refers to pollution as a form of harm imposed on a community rather than as mere dirt or waste in one place.

Common phrases

  • 公害問題kō gai mon dai

    pollution problem

  • 公害対策kō gai tai saku

    pollution control

  • 公害を防止するkō gai o bō shi su ru

    prevent pollution

Similar words

汚染osen: The presence of harmful substances that make air, water, soil, or another thing unsafe or impure.
環境汚染kankyōosen: Pollution that damages the natural environment, including its air, water, and land.

Definition in Japanese

多くの人の健康や暮らしに被害を及ぼす、産業活動などによる環境の汚染。ō ku no hito no ken kō ya ku ra shi ni hi gai o oyo bo su san gyō katsu dō na do ni yo ru kan kyō no o sen

Word origin

公 (kō, "public") means something shared by society, while 害 (gai, "harm") means damage, and their combination gives the noun its meaning.

Usage tips

  • Unlike a general dirty condition, 公害 (kōgai, "public harm") often highlights harm imposed on a community by a business or other activity.

Other meanings

  • public nuisancenoun

Word lists with this word