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害
害 (readings: がい; Japanese kanji) means “harm / damage”. It is a Grade 4 Kyōiku kanji, taught in year 4 of Japanese elementary school, and appears in words such as 被害 (damage).
What does 害 mean?
| Kanji | 害 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | harm / damage |
| Readings | がい |
| Grade | Grade 4 (Upper) |
| Curriculum | Kyōiku kanji · Japanese elementary school |
How to read 害
害 is read がい depending on the word.
Example words with 害
| Example | 被害 (damage) |
|---|
Practice writing 害 — free
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Updated: 2026-07-14