害悪(がいあく)

A formal word combining 害(がい) (harm) and 悪(あく) (evil). It conveys a stronger sense of wrongfulness than 害(がい) alone, implying not just damage but something morally negative or socially destructive.

Common collocations

• 害悪(がいあく)を及(およ)ぼす — to cause harm
• 害悪(がいあく)を与(あた)える — to inflict harm
• 害悪(がいあく)を除去(じょきょ)する — to eliminate harm
• 社会(しゃかい)の害悪(がいあく) — a social evil

Similar words

• 害(がい) — harm, damage (more general; less morally charged)
• 弊害(へいがい) — ill effects, harmful consequences (often of systems or policies)
• 悪影響(あくえいきょう) — 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(ひがい) (damage) or 損害(そんがい) (loss).