(そうがい)

そうがい
noun
frost damage; damage caused by frost
1. frost damage; damage caused by frost
Damage to crops, plants, or agriculture caused by frost or freezing temperatures. A significant concern for farmers, especially during late spring when unexpected frost can destroy new growth.
霜害(そうがい)作物(さくもつ)がやられた。
The crops were ruined by frost damage.
遅霜(おそじも)による霜害(そうがい)注意(ちゅうい)必要(ひつよう)だ。
Caution is needed against frost damage from late frost.
茶畑(ちゃばたけ)では霜害(そうがい)(ふせ)ぐために送風(そうふう)ファンが設置(せっち)されている。
Wind fans are installed in tea fields to prevent frost damage.

Composed of (しも/そう) (frost) + (がい) (damage, harm). Particularly affects (ちゃ) (tea), 果樹(かじゅ) (fruit trees), and 野菜(やさい) (vegetables). Common collocations: 霜害(そうがい)()ける (to suffer frost damage), 霜害(そうがい)(ふせ)ぐ (to prevent frost damage), 霜害(そうがい)対策(たいさく) (frost damage countermeasures). Japanese tea farmers use 防霜(ぼうそう)ファン (frost prevention fans) installed above their fields. Part of the 〜害(がい) (damage from ~) word family, like 水害(すいがい) (flood damage) and 風害(ふうがい) (wind damage).