A1 noun Neutral #2,817 most common

災害

saigai /saiga i/

A disaster or calamity that causes extensive damage to lives, property, or the environment. It often refers to natural events like earthquakes and floods, but can also include large-scale accidents caused by human activity.

Examples

3 of 5
1

災害に備えて、水を準備します。

I will prepare water in case of a disaster.

2

大規模な災害が発生した際、迅速な対応が求められます。

When a large-scale disaster occurs, a swift response is required.

3

最近、災害が多いね。

There have been a lot of disasters lately, haven't there?

Word Family

Noun
災害
Verb
被災する
Adjective
災害的な
Related
震災
💡

Memory Tip

The first kanji 災 contains the 'fire' (火) radical, and the second 害 means 'harm.' Think of a 'harmful fire' or 'flood' destroying a home.

Quick Quiz

大きな____に備えて、避難場所を確認しておきましょう。

Correct!

The correct answer is: 災害

Examples

1

災害に備えて、水を準備します。

everyday

I will prepare water in case of a disaster.

2

大規模な災害が発生した際、迅速な対応が求められます。

formal

When a large-scale disaster occurs, a swift response is required.

3

最近、災害が多いね。

informal

There have been a lot of disasters lately, haven't there?

4

地球温暖化は自然災害の頻度を高める一因である。

academic

Global warming is one factor increasing the frequency of natural disasters.

5

弊社は災害時の事業継続計画を策定しています。

business

Our company is formulating a business continuity plan for times of disaster.

Word Family

Noun
災害
Verb
被災する
Adjective
災害的な
Related
震災

Common Collocations

自然災害 natural disaster
災害対策 disaster countermeasures
災害救助 disaster relief
二次災害 secondary disaster
防災訓練 disaster prevention drill

Common Phrases

災害に見舞われる

to be hit by a disaster

災害が発生する

a disaster occurs

人災

man-made disaster

Often Confused With

災害 vs 被害

Saigai refers to the event itself (the disaster), while Higai refers to the specific damage or harm suffered by people or things.

災害 vs 事故

Jiko usually refers to smaller-scale accidents (like a car crash), whereas Saigai refers to large-scale calamities.

📝

Usage Notes

Saigai is a formal and general term used for major events that disrupt society. In Japan, it is most frequently used in the context of natural phenomena like earthquakes and tsunamis.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use 'saigai' for minor personal accidents; use 'jiko' or 'shippai' for those instead.

💡

Memory Tip

The first kanji 災 contains the 'fire' (火) radical, and the second 害 means 'harm.' Think of a 'harmful fire' or 'flood' destroying a home.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from Middle Chinese, where '災' represents a calamity (often fire or flood) and '害' represents harm or injury.

Grammar Patterns

Noun + に備える (to prepare for...) Noun + が発生する (a disaster occurs) Noun + による被害 (damage caused by...)
🌍

Cultural Context

Due to its geography, Japan has a highly developed culture of disaster awareness, with national disaster prevention days and widespread emergency kits.

Quick Quiz

大きな____に備えて、避難場所を確認しておきましょう。

Correct!

The correct answer is: 災害

Related Words

振動

A1

A physical back-and-forth motion or vibration, typically periodic or repetitive. It is used to describe the shaking of machines, electronic devices like phones, or scientific phenomena like sound waves.

放射

A1

The process of sending out light, heat, or energy in the form of waves or particles from a central source. It is most commonly used in scientific contexts to describe radiation or how light spreads out in all directions.

反射

A1

Refers to the physical phenomenon of light, heat, or sound bouncing off a surface. It also describes an automatic and immediate physical reaction of the body to a stimulus.

屈折

A1

Kussetsu refers to the refraction of waves, such as light or sound, as they pass through different media. It is also used metaphorically to describe a personality or thought process that is not straightforward, often characterized as being complex, distorted, or 'twisted'.

放出

A1

放出 (hōshutsu) refers to the act of releasing, emitting, or letting out substances, energy, or stored items into the surroundings. It is commonly used in scientific contexts like heat emission or in business for releasing stock to the market.

蒸発

A1

The physical process of a liquid turning into vapor or gas, often due to heat. It is also used metaphorically to describe a person or object that suddenly and mysteriously disappears.

凝縮

A1

The process of condensing a substance into a denser form, such as gas turning into liquid. Figuratively, it refers to concentrating a large amount of information, emotion, or quality into a very small, potent space.

溶解

A1

The process by which a solid, liquid, or gas forms a solution in a solvent. It specifically refers to a substance becoming incorporated into a liquid to create a homogeneous mixture.

凝固

A1

凝固 (gyōko) refers to the physical process where a liquid changes into a solid state, typically due to cooling or a chemical reaction. It is most commonly used in scientific contexts like chemistry, geology, and medicine, such as describing blood clotting or the solidification of lava.

結晶

A1

A solid material whose atoms are arranged in a regular, repeating pattern, commonly known as a crystal. It is also used metaphorically to describe the beautiful or tangible result of long-term hard work and effort.

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Start learning languages for free

Start Learning Free