Japanese word

損なう

Pronunciation

Romajisokonau

Meaning

  • verbdamage

Example

事故は会社の評判を損ないます。ji ko wa gai sha no hyō ban o soko na i ma su

The accident damages the company's reputation.

Illustration for 損なう (damage)

More examples

不正確な情報は、調査の価値を損ないます。fu sei kaku na jō hō wa chō sa no ka chi o soko na i ma su

Inaccurate information undermines the value of the research.

Core concept

It describes a change that leaves something less sound, effective, valuable, or respected than before.

Common phrases

  • 評判を損なうhyō ban o soko na u

    damage one's reputation

  • 信頼を損なうshin rai o soko na u

    damage trust

  • 機能を損なうki nō o soko na u

    impair function

Similar words

損ねるsokoneru: To reduce the quality, condition, or value of something.
傷つけるkizutsukeru: To cause physical or emotional harm, or damage someone's reputation.
害するgaisuru: To harm a person's body, interests, or condition.

Definition in Japanese

物や事柄の状態・価値・評判などを悪くする。mono ya koto gara no jō tai ka chi hyō ban na do o waru ku su ru

Word origin

損なう (sokonau) belongs to the native Japanese vocabulary and is conventionally written with 損 (son, "loss or damage"); its historical formation remains uncertain.

Usage tips

  • 損なう (sokonau) has a formal tone and appears often in edited writing and public statements rather than casual conversation.

Other meanings

  • harmverb
  • impairverb
  • marverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 損ないsokonaidamagenoun

Word lists with this word