Meaning and Usage
"損害" (そんがい) refers to damage or loss, often in contexts involving physical harm, financial loss, or legal liability. It is a formal noun commonly used in business, insurance, legal, and disaster-related conversations.
Common Collocations
- 損害を与える: to cause damage
- 損害を受ける: to suffer damage
- 損害賠償 (そんがいばいしょう): compensation for damages
Usage Notes
When using 損害, speakers often imply measurable or significant harm, not minor inconveniences. It is more formal than words like 壊れた (broken) or 傷 (scratch). 損害賠償 is a frequent legal/business term meaning "damages" or "compensation".
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 損害 with 損失 (そんしつ), which also means loss but is more focused on financial or quantitative loss rather than physical damage. Use 損害 when emphasizing harm or damage, especially in legal or insurance contexts.