1.
harm; evil; harmful effect
Damage, injury, or negative influence caused to people, society, or things. Stronger and more formal than 害 alone.
害悪を及ぼす行為は許されない。
Actions that cause harm are not tolerated.
環境に害悪を与える物質を規制するべきだ。
Substances that cause harm to the environment should be regulated.
SNSの誹謗中傷は社会にとって大きな害悪であると指摘されている。
Online slander has been pointed out as a major harm to society.
A formal word combining 害 (harm) and 悪 (evil). It conveys a stronger sense of wrongfulness than 害 alone, implying not just damage but something morally negative or socially destructive.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 害悪を及ぼす — to cause harm
- 害悪を与える — to inflict harm
- 害悪を除去する — to eliminate harm
- 社会の害悪 — a social evil
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 害 — harm, damage (more general; less morally charged)
- 弊害 — ill effects, harmful consequences (often of systems or policies)
- 悪影響 — bad influence, negative effect (focuses on the impact rather than the source)
USAGE:
Often used in written or formal contexts such as news articles, legal discussions, and social commentary. It carries a tone of moral judgment, making it stronger than neutral terms like 被害 (damage) or 損害 (loss).