Meaning and Usage
The verb 損う (そこなう) means "to harm" or "to damage." It is often used in formal or written contexts to describe physical, emotional, or abstract harm such as damaging trust, health, or objects.
Common Collocations
- 信頼を損う (しんらいをそこなう): to harm trust
- 体を損う (からだをそこなう): to harm the body
- 胃を損う (いをそこなう): to harm the stomach
These collocations show how 損う is used with both tangible and intangible things.
Register and Nuance
損う is more formal and less common in casual speech compared to simpler verbs like 傷つける (きずつける). It often appears in written language, medical contexts, or serious discussions about damage or harm.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 損う with 損する (そんする), which means "to suffer a loss" or "to be at a disadvantage." 損う focuses on causing harm or damage, while 損する is about experiencing loss or disadvantage. Remember that 損う is a transitive verb meaning "to harm something."