Japanese word

戦災

Pronunciation

Romajisensai

Meaning

  • nounwar damage

Example

この町には戦災の跡が残っています。ko no machi ni wa sen sai no ato ga noko tte i ma su

Traces of war damage remain in this town.

Illustration for 戦災 (war damage)

More examples

多くの家が戦災によって失われました。ō ku no ie ga sen sai ni yo tte ushina wa re ma shi ta

Many homes were lost because of war damage.

Core concept

Refers to the harm that war causes to places, buildings, and the lives of the people there.

Common phrases

  • 戦災を受けるsen sai o u ke ru

    suffer war damage

Similar words

戦禍senka: The loss, destruction, and suffering resulting from war.
戦争被害sensōhigai: The harmful effects of war on people, buildings, and communities.

Definition in Japanese

戦争によって生じる建物や土地などの被害。sen sō ni yo tte shō ji ru tate mono ya to chi na do no hi gai

Word origin

戦災 (sensai, "war damage") is a compound of 戦 (sen, "war") and 災 (sai, "calamity"), so its meaning is a calamity brought about by war.

Usage tips

  • In accounts of urban history, 戦災 (sensai) can describe damage that remains visible in streets, buildings, or public facilities.

Related words

  • 戦災者sensaishawar victimnoun

Word lists with this word