B1 verb ニュートラル #37 よく出る 1分で読める

harm

/hɑːrm/

Harm means to cause damage or injury, affecting physical, mental, or material well-being.

30秒でわかる単語

  • To cause damage or injury.
  • Can be physical, mental, or spoil something.
  • Common in safety, health, and legal contexts.

Overview

The word 'harm' refers to causing damage, injury, or negative consequences. It can be physical, emotional, or even financial. The verb 'to harm' implies an action that results in detriment, while the noun 'harm' refers to the damage or injury itself. It's a common word used in various contexts, from personal interactions to legal and medical situations.

As a verb, 'harm' typically takes a direct object, indicating who or what is being harmed. For example, 'The accident did not harm anyone.' As a noun, it can be used with articles ('the harm') or as a general concept ('cause harm'). It often appears with verbs like 'cause,' 'do,' 'inflict,' 'suffer,' and 'prevent.'

You'll encounter 'harm' in discussions about safety (e.g., 'child harm prevention'), health (e.g., 'smoking can harm your lungs'), law (e.g., 'causing bodily harm'), and ethical considerations (e.g., 'do no harm'). It's also used in less severe contexts, like 'The rain didn't harm the crops.'

While 'hurt' is a close synonym, 'harm' often implies a more significant or lasting damage, especially when used as a noun. 'Damage' is similar but often refers more to physical impairment of objects or systems, whereas 'harm' can more easily apply to living beings and their well-being. 'Injure' specifically refers to physical harm, often resulting from an accident or violence.

例文

1

The storm caused considerable harm to the coastal villages.

news report

La tormenta causó daños considerables a las aldeas costeras.

2

It is important to do no harm when providing medical care.

medical ethics

Es importante no causar daño al prestar atención médica.

3

Don't worry, the small scratch didn't really harm the car.

casual conversation

No te preocupes, el pequeño rasguño en realidad no dañó el coche.

4

Exposure to excessive UV radiation can harm your skin.

health advice

La exposición a la radiación UV excesiva puede dañar tu piel.

よく使う組み合わせ

cause harm causar daño
do harm hacer daño
inflict harm infligir daño
prevent harm prevenir daño
bodily harm daño corporal
emotional harm daño emocional

よく使うフレーズ

come to harm

sufrir daño

cause no harm

no causar daño

risk of harm

riesgo de daño

よく混同される語

harm vs hurt

'Hurt' often focuses on the feeling of pain or emotional distress, while 'harm' implies a more objective state of damage or injury, potentially with longer-lasting effects.

harm vs damage

'Damage' is frequently used for objects, structures, or systems, referring to impairment or destruction. 'Harm' is broader and more commonly used for living beings, encompassing physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

文法パターン

Subject + harm + object (e.g., The policy harmed the economy.) Subject + cause + harm + to + object (e.g., The accident caused harm to the driver.) Do no harm (e.g., The doctor's primary duty is to do no harm.)

How to Use It

📝

使い方のコツ

The word 'harm' is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. As a verb, it directly indicates the action of causing damage. As a noun, it refers to the resulting damage or injury.


⚠️

よくある間違い

Learners sometimes confuse the noun and verb forms. Remember that 'harm' itself can be the noun (e.g., 'cause harm'), while 'harm' is also the verb (e.g., 'it will harm you'). Ensure you use the correct form based on the sentence structure.

Tips

💡

Think of lasting damage

When you think of 'harm,' consider effects that are more than just temporary discomfort. It often implies a negative change in condition.

⚠️

Avoid causing harm

Be mindful of your actions and words, as they can unintentionally cause harm to others, whether physically or emotionally.

🌍

Medical ethics principle

The principle of 'primum non nocere' (first, do no harm) is a fundamental ethical guideline in medicine, emphasizing the importance of avoiding patient harm.

📖

語源

The word 'harm' comes from the Old English 'hearm,' meaning 'injury, insult, grief, or evil.' It has Germanic roots, related to words meaning 'sorrow' or 'anger.'

🌍

文化的な背景

The concept of 'harm' is central to many ethical systems and legal frameworks across cultures. Laws often define degrees of harm (e.g., bodily harm) to determine penalties, reflecting its societal importance.

🧠

覚え方のコツ

Think of 'harm' sounding like 'hard' damage. When something is harmed, it has suffered a hard or significant negative impact.

よくある質問

4 問

No, 'harm' can refer to physical injury, but it also encompasses mental, emotional, or even financial damage. For example, spreading rumors can cause emotional harm.

'Hurt' often refers to a more immediate feeling of pain or emotional distress, while 'harm' suggests a more lasting or significant negative impact or damage.

Yes, although it's more common for living beings, 'harm' can be used to describe damage to objects or systems, like 'The harsh chemicals harmed the antique furniture.'

It can be, especially when referring to significant physical or emotional damage. However, it can also be used in milder contexts, like 'The minor delay did no real harm.'

自分をテスト

fill blank

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

The loud noise did not seem to ___ the sleeping baby.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: a

'Harm' means to cause damage or injury, which fits the context of the baby being undisturbed.

multiple choice

Select the best option to complete the sentence.

Spreading false rumors can cause significant emotional ____.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: b

'Harm' is the noun form that refers to damage or injury, fitting the context of emotional distress caused by rumors.

sentence building

Arrange the words to form a grammatically correct sentence.

words: prevent / harm / to / children / attempts / serious

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: c

This sentence correctly uses 'harm' as a noun and 'prevent' in its correct grammatical structure to convey the meaning.

🎉 スコア: /3

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