Japanese word

有害

Pronunciation

Romajiyūgai

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveharmful

Example

この薬は子どもに有害です。ko no kusuri wa ko do mo ni yū gai de su

This medicine is harmful to children.

Illustration for 有害 (harmful)

More examples

この塗料には有害な成分が含まれています。ko no to ryō ni wa yū gai na sei bun ga fuku ma re te i ma su

This paint contains harmful ingredients.

Core concept

Describes something that causes harm or presents a risk of harm to people, living things, or the environment.

Common phrases

  • 健康に有害なken kō ni yū gai na

    harmful to health

  • 環境に有害なkan kyō ni yū gai na

    harmful to the environment

  • 人体に有害なjin tai ni yū gai na

    harmful to the human body

  • 有害な物質yū gai na bus shitsu

    harmful substance

Similar words

危険kiken: Presents a risk of harm or damage to people, living things, or the environment.
有毒yūdoku: Contains poison or produces poisonous effects in living things.

Definition in Japanese

人や生物、環境などに悪い影響を与える性質があること。hito ya sei butsu kan kyō na do ni waru i ei kyō o ata e ru sei shitsu ga a ru ko to

Word origin

As a Sino-Japanese compound, 有害 (yūgai) combines 有 (yū, "having") and 害 (gai, "harm"), meaning "having harmful effects."

Usage tips

  • In public-health and environmental writing, this term often modifies substances, emissions, or materials rather than describing a person's temporary behavior.

Other meanings

  • hazardousna-adjective

Opposites

  • 無害mugaiharmlessna-adjective

Related words

  • 有害性yūgaiseiharmfulnessnoun

Word lists with this word