Meanings of 災
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Podcast: 災
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AI study notes for 災
灾难 (zāinàn) vs 灾害 (zāihài) — choose 災 (zāi) when emphasizing the general concept of disaster rather than the specific types or consequences.
Be careful not to confuse 災 (zāi) with 催 (cuī), which means to urge or hasten, as the meanings are quite different. This character is often used in formal contexts, particularly in disaster reports or news. Common collocations include 災難 (zāinàn), meaning calamity, and 災害 (zāihài), meaning disaster or hazard.
Although 災 is not part of any HSK levels, it is a useful word for learners interested in advanced vocabulary related to emergencies or environmental issues. Students should focus on recognizing it in compound words and phrases that discuss disasters.
Learners often confuse 災 (zāi) with 知 (zhī), which means to know, leading to sentences like '我知道灾' (I know disaster), which is nonsensical. The correct usage should focus on discussing the nature of the disaster itself, such as '我经历过一场灾' (I have experienced a disaster).
Pronunciation of 災
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Etymology of 災
Depicts a fire (火) burning a building (宀).
A river 巛 on fire 火
Origin
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Decomposition of 災
Parts
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How to say disaster, catastrophe, calamity in Chinese
“disaster, catastrophe, calamity” in Chinese is災
The character 災 (zāi) refers to a disaster or calamity, often implying a significant and unfortunate event that causes destruction or suffering. It is commonly used in contexts related to natural disasters, accidents, or crises, emphasizing their severity and impact on life.
When to use 災
Be careful not to confuse 災 (zāi) with 催 (cuī), which means to urge or hasten, as the meanings are quite different. This character is often used in formal contexts, particularly in disaster reports or news. Common collocations include 災難 (zāinàn), meaning calamity, and 災害 (zāihài), meaning disaster or hazard.
災 or something close to it
灾难 (zāinàn) vs 灾害 (zāihài) — choose 災 (zāi) when emphasizing the general concept of disaster rather than the specific types or consequences.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 災 (zāi) with 知 (zhī), which means to know, leading to sentences like '我知道灾' (I know disaster), which is nonsensical. The correct usage should focus on discussing the nature of the disaster itself, such as '我经历过一场灾' (I have experienced a disaster).
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Word Family of 災
Words with 災
What does 灾难 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 災
You can say '这场洪水是一次严重的灾害' (This flood is a serious disaster).
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