有害（ゆうがい、yuugai）
- harmful

The Japanese word 有害 (ゆうがい, *yuugai*) means "harmful," "detrimental," "injurious," or "toxic." It describes something that can cause damage, injury, or adverse effects. This can apply to physical things, substances, or even abstract concepts. The word implies a negative impact on something or someone. The word suggests a potential for causing harm.

⚫︎この化学物質は人体に有害］です。 Translation: This chemical substance is [harmful] to the human body. ⚫︎タバコの煙は健康に有害］です。 Translation: Tobacco smoke is [harmful] to your health. ⚫︎有害］な情報に注意してください。 Translation: Be careful of [harmful] information.

有害 is a common and versatile adjective used in various contexts. ⚫︎It can be used to describe physical substances (like chemicals or pollutants) that are dangerous. ⚫︎It can also describe things that are harmful to health, such as smoking or certain foods. ⚫︎Furthermore, 有害 can be applied to abstract concepts, such as [harmful] information or influences. It is often used in formal and informal situations.

有害 is typically written in kanji as 有害, with the reading in hiragana as ゆうがい. The okurigana (the suffix hiragana) is standard. There are no other common ways to write this word. The kanji 有 means "to have" or "exist" and 害 means "harm" or "damage."

⚫︎危険な (*kiken na*) - dangerous ⚫︎体に悪い (*karada ni warui*) - bad for the body ⚫︎毒性のある (*dokusei no aru*) - toxic ⚫︎悪影響のある (*aku eikyou no aru*) - having a bad influence

⚫︎無害な (*mugaina*) - harmless ⚫︎安全な (*anzen na*) - safe ⚫︎良い (*yoi*) - good

その工場から排出される物質は環境に有害］であることが判明した。 ・Translation: It was found that the substances discharged from that factory were [harmful] to the environment. ・Explanation: This sentence illustrates the use of 有害 in the context of environmental pollution.

有害］なウェブサイトへのアクセスは避けてください。 ・Translation: Please avoid accessing [harmful] websites. ・Explanation: This sentence provides an example of using 有害 to describe information.

The word 有害 is composed of two kanji: 有 (yuu) and 害 (gai). 有 means "to have" or "exist," and 害 means "harm," "damage," or "injury." Thus, the combination suggests the "existence of harm" or something that possesses the potential to cause harm.