Chinese word

有害

Pronunciation

Pinyinyǒu hài

Meaning

  • adjectiveharmful

Example

长期吸入这种气体对身体有害。cháng qī xī rù zhè zhǒng qì tǐ duì shēn tǐ yǒu hài

Breathing in this gas over a long period is harmful to the body.

Illustration for 有害 (harmful)

More examples

塑料制品释放的化学物质对生态系统有害。sù liào zhì pǐn shì fàng de huà xué wù zhì duì shēng tài xì tǒng yǒu hài

Chemicals released by plastic products are harmful to ecosystems.

Core concept

A damaging influence that leaves its target worse off.

Common phrases

  • 对儿童有害duì ér tóng yǒu hài

    harmful to children

  • 有害物质yǒu hài wù zhì

    harmful substance

  • 有害气体yǒu hài qì tǐ

    harmful gas

Similar words

有毒yǒu dú: Having poisonous qualities that can harm people or other living things.
危险wēi xiǎn: Creating a risk to personal safety or life through accidents or other danger.

Definition in Chinese

对人、事物或环境造成损害或不良影响的性质或状态。duì rén shì wù huò huán jìng zào chéng sǔn hài huò bù liáng yíng xiǎng de xìng zhì huò zhuàng tài

Word origin

有害 (yǒuhài, "harmful") combines 有 (yǒu, "have") + 害 (hài, "harm"), presenting damage as something present in or attached to its target.

Usage tips

  • The affected target commonly appears before this adjective in Chinese, whereas English usually places it after harmful with to.

Other meanings

  • harmverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 有害性yǒu hài xìngharmfulnessnoun
  • 有害物质yǒu hài wù zhìharmful substancenoun
  • 有害气体yǒu hài qì tǐharmful gasnoun

Word lists with this word