You might have heard the word for disaster, which is 地震 (jishin - earthquake) or 津波 (tsunami - tsunami). But there's another common word you should know: 災難 (sainan).
You use 災難 when you're talking about a disaster, a misfortune, or a calamity. It’s a bit of a broader term than just an earthquake or tsunami.
Think of it as something really bad or unfortunate happening, whether it's a big natural event or a personal mishap.
When we talk about something really bad happening, like an earthquake, a big fire, or even just losing something important, the Japanese word for that is 災難 (さいなん). It’s like when you have a stroke of bad luck, or a big problem that causes a lot of trouble or damage. So, if something unfortunate or disastrous occurs, you can refer to it as 災難.
When studying Japanese, encountering words that describe challenging situations is inevitable. 災難 (sainan) is one such word, and it’s important to understand its nuances. This noun refers to a disaster, misfortune, or calamity. Think of it as a broad term for something really bad happening unexpectedly.
It covers everything from a personal setback, like losing your wallet, to a larger-scale natural disaster. While it can often overlap with words like 災害 (saigai) for natural disasters, 災難 tends to emphasize the personal experience of hardship or bad luck. Mastering such vocabulary helps you describe a wider range of situations in Japanese.
When discussing negative events, 災難 (sainan) is a useful term that covers a range from minor inconveniences to major disasters. While it can refer to large-scale calamities like earthquakes or floods, it's also commonly used for personal misfortunes or troubles. Think of it as a broad word for 'bad luck' or 'a troublesome incident'. For instance, if you miss your train or your phone breaks, you might describe it as 災難. It often carries a sense of an unexpected and unwanted event.
When discussing serious difficulties or unfortunate events, 災難 (sainan) is a key term. It encompasses a range of unpleasant occurrences, from minor misfortunes to significant disasters.
For instance, if someone experiences a string of bad luck like losing their wallet and then getting caught in a sudden downpour, they might describe it as 災難. It often implies an event that is unexpected and brings hardship.
You'll frequently hear it in expressions like 災難に遭う (sainan ni au), meaning 'to encounter a disaster/misfortune,' or 災難を乗り越える (sainan o norikoeru), meaning 'to overcome a disaster/misfortune.'
It's a versatile word for describing adversity in everyday conversation as well as in more formal contexts.
災難 30秒了解
- misfortune
- calamity
- disaster
§ What does it mean and when do people use it?
Let's break down the Japanese word 災難 (sainan). It's a B1 level noun, and it means 'disaster,' 'misfortune,' or 'calamity.' Think of it as a significant bad event that happens unexpectedly.
- Japanese Word
- 災難 (sainan)
- Meaning
- Disaster, misfortune, calamity. It refers to an unfortunate event or a troublesome experience.
- Part of Speech
- Noun
You'll hear 災難 used in various situations, from talking about natural disasters to personal troubles. It's a useful word to describe when things go wrong unexpectedly.
Here are some ways people use 災難:
- When talking about major events like earthquakes or typhoons.
- When describing a very unlucky personal experience.
- To express sympathy for someone who's gone through something bad.
Let's look at some examples:
地震は大変な災難でした。
- Hint
- The earthquake was a terrible disaster.
財布をなくして、本当に災難だった。
- Hint
- Losing my wallet was truly a misfortune.
彼女はまた災難に見舞われた。
- Hint
- She was hit by another misfortune.
The kanji for 災難 literally mean 'disaster' (災) and 'difficulty/trouble' (難). This combination clearly conveys the meaning of a challenging and unfortunate event. When something bad happens that is out of your control, 災難 is a very fitting word to describe it. It captures the essence of unexpected bad luck or a grave situation.
You might also hear phrases like 災難に遭う (sainan ni au), which means 'to encounter a disaster/misfortune' or 'to suffer a calamity.' This verb phrase is common when someone is directly affected by a negative event.
彼は交通事故という災難に遭った。
- Hint
- He encountered the misfortune of a traffic accident.
So, next time you want to talk about something unfortunate or a difficult situation in Japanese, 災難 is a solid word to have in your vocabulary. It's direct, commonly used, and gets the point across effectively.
Let's talk about 災難 (sainan). It means "disaster," "misfortune," or "calamity." It's a useful word for talking about bad things that happen. Here's how to use it.
§ Basic Usage
災難 (sainan) is a noun. You can use it like most other nouns in Japanese. It often appears with particles like に (ni), が (ga), or の (no).
大雨で災難
- Translation hint
- We were hit by a disaster due to the heavy rain.
これは本当に災難だ。
- Translation hint
- This is truly a misfortune.
§ Common Phrases with 災難
There are a few common ways to use 災難 that you should know. Pay attention to the particles used here.
災難に遭う (sainan ni au): To encounter a disaster/misfortune.
彼は交通事故で災難に遭った。
- Translation hint
- He met with a misfortune (car accident).
災難に見舞われる (sainan ni mimawareru): To be struck by a disaster/misfortune. This often implies an external event. It's similar to 災難に遭う but can sometimes feel a bit more formal or dramatic.
その地域は頻繁に自然災難に見舞われる。
- Translation hint
- That region is frequently struck by natural disasters.
災難だ (sainan da): What a misfortune! / That's too bad! This is a common way to express sympathy or regret for someone else's bad luck, or to express your own frustration when something bad happens to you.
財布をなくしたって？それは災難だったね。
- Translation hint
- You lost your wallet? That's a misfortune (that's too bad).
また電車が遅れた！本当に災難だ。
- Translation hint
- The train is late again! This is truly a misfortune (this is such bad luck).
§ Using 災難 with の (no)
You can also use 災難 with the particle の (no) to describe something as a misfortune or to talk about the nature of the disaster itself. This creates a noun phrase.
災難の連続だった。
- Translation hint
- It was a series of misfortunes.
あの火事は大きな災難だった。
- Translation hint
- That fire was a great disaster.
§ Distinguishing from other words
While 災難 (sainan) covers a broad range of negative events, it's good to know how it compares to other similar words.
災害 (saigai): This refers more specifically to natural disasters (earthquakes, typhoons, floods, etc.) or large-scale man-made disasters. 災難 can be a personal misfortune, but 災害 is usually on a bigger scale.
地震は恐ろしい災害だ。
- Translation hint
- Earthquakes are terrifying disasters.
不幸 (fukou): This means unhappiness, bad luck, or misfortune. It's often used for personal bad luck or a general state of unhappiness. 災難 often implies a specific event, while 不幸 can be more general.
彼の人生は不幸の連続だった。
- Translation hint
- His life was a series of misfortunes.
§ Practical Tips
Keep practicing with these examples, and you'll get the hang of using 災難 naturally in Japanese.
§ Understanding 災難 (sainan)
You're learning Japanese, and that's great! Today, let's look at 災難 (sainan). It means "disaster," "misfortune," or "calamity." It's a useful word to know, especially when you encounter serious situations in conversation or in the news. It's a B1 level word, so it's common enough to hear regularly.
- DEFINITION
- Disaster; misfortune; calamity.
Let's dive into how 災難 is used in real-world situations.
§ 災難 in the Workplace
In a work setting, 災難 can refer to unexpected problems that cause significant trouble for a project or the company itself. It's often used when something goes seriously wrong beyond a simple mistake.
予期せぬシステムのダウンで、プロジェクトは大きな災難に見舞われた。
Hint: The unexpected system crash caused the project to suffer a great misfortune.
昨日のデータ損失は会社にとってまさに災難でした。
Hint: Yesterday's data loss was truly a calamity for the company.
§ 災難 in School Life
At school, 災難 might describe academic or personal setbacks that are quite serious. It's not for minor issues, but for events that significantly disrupt a student's life or studies.
試験中にパソコンがクラッシュしたのは本当に災難だった。
Hint: It was a real misfortune when my computer crashed during the exam.
彼の留学が中止になったのは、予測できない災難だった。
Hint: His study abroad being canceled was an unforeseen calamity.
§ 災難 in the News
In news reports, 災難 is frequently used to describe large-scale events that affect many people, such as natural disasters or major accidents. This is where the "disaster" or "calamity" meaning is most prominent.
自然災難 (shizen sainan) - natural disaster
飛行機事故は避けられない災難だった。
Hint: The plane crash was an unavoidable calamity.
地震や津波のような大きな災難に備える必要がある。
Hint: We need to prepare for major disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis.
Understanding 災難 in these contexts will help you grasp news articles, conversations, and even some formal documents. Keep practicing, and you'll get the hang of it!
Alright, let's talk about 災難 (sainan) and some common pitfalls to avoid. While it means 'disaster,' 'misfortune,' or 'calamity,' it's not always interchangeable with other similar-sounding words in Japanese. Understanding the nuances will help you use it naturally.
§ Don't overuse it for minor inconveniences
One of the biggest mistakes is using 災難 (sainan) for things that are just minor annoyances or inconveniences. Think of it as something more significant than just a bad day.
財布を忘れてきて、本当に災難だった。(Wrong)
Translation hint: "Forgetting my wallet was truly a disaster."
While forgetting your wallet is annoying, it's not typically a 'disaster' in the sense of 災難 (sainan). You'd more likely use something like 大変 (taihen - difficult, tough) or 困った (komatta - troublesome) for this.
財布を忘れてきて、本当に大変だった。(Correct)
Translation hint: "Forgetting my wallet was truly tough/a hassle."
§ Confusing it with 事故 (jiko) or 事件 (jiken)
While sometimes related, 災難 (sainan) isn't the same as 事故 (jiko - accident) or 事件 (jiken - incident/case). These words have more specific meanings.
- DEFINITION
- 事故 (jiko): An unforeseen and undesirable event, typically involving damage or injury, like a car accident (交通事故 - kōtsū jiko).
- DEFINITION
- 事件 (jiken): A specific incident, often one that is noteworthy or has legal implications, like a crime (犯罪事件 - hanzai jiken).
You wouldn't typically use 災難 (sainan) to refer to a traffic accident in a neutral, descriptive way, although you might say "その事故は本当に災難だった" (Sono jiko wa hontō ni sainan datta - That accident was truly a disaster) if you're emphasizing the misfortune it brought.
昨日の災難で、彼は怪我をした。(Wrong)
Translation hint: "He got injured in yesterday's disaster."
Here, if you're talking about a specific event like a car crash where he got injured, 事故 (jiko) is more appropriate.
昨日の事故で、彼は怪我をした。(Correct)
Translation hint: "He got injured in yesterday's accident."
§ Not understanding its emotional weight
災難 (sainan) carries a certain emotional weight. It often implies a feeling of being a victim of circumstances or something unavoidable. It's not a neutral, clinical term.
昨日の会議は災難だった。(Awkward)
Translation hint: "Yesterday's meeting was a disaster."
Unless the meeting literally caused some widespread harm or was truly catastrophic, using 災難 (sainan) here sounds overly dramatic. You'd probably say it was "ひどかった" (hidokatta - terrible) or "最悪だった" (saiaku datta - the worst).
昨日の会議は最悪だった。(Correct)
Translation hint: "Yesterday's meeting was the worst."
§ Not knowing common phrases with 災難 (sainan)
Like many words, 災難 (sainan) appears in some common phrases. Knowing these will help you use it correctly and sound more natural.
災難に遭う (sainan ni au): To meet with disaster/misfortune.
彼はひどい災難に遭った。(He met with a terrible misfortune.)
災難なことに (sainan na koto ni): Unfortunately; as ill luck would have it.
災難なことに、雨が降り出した。(Unfortunately, it started raining.)
By keeping these points in mind, you'll be able to use 災難 (sainan) more accurately and avoid common mistakes that might make your Japanese sound a bit off. Practice using it in appropriate contexts, and you'll get the hang of its true meaning and emotional impact.
§ Understanding 災難 (sainan)
You've learned that 災難 (sainan) means "disaster," "misfortune," or "calamity." Now, let's look at how it compares to other similar Japanese words. This will help you choose the right word for the situation.
§ 災難 (sainan) vs. 災害 (saigai)
- DEFINITION
- 災害 (saigai): General term for large-scale disasters, especially natural disasters like earthquakes, typhoons, floods. Can also refer to man-made disasters, but less common.
The key difference here is scale and nature. 災害 (saigai) almost always refers to major events that affect many people or a large area. Think of news reports about earthquakes or tsunamis – they'll use 災害.
地震は大きな災害でした。
Hint: The earthquake was a big disaster.
§ 災難 (sainan) vs. 不幸 (fukou)
- DEFINITION
- 不幸 (fukou): Unhappiness, misfortune, bad luck, sorrow. Often related to personal tragedy or an unfortunate state of affairs.
不幸 (fukou) carries a stronger sense of sadness, sorrow, or a general state of being unlucky. While both 災難 (sainan) and 不幸 (fukou) involve misfortune, 不幸 (fukou) is often used when someone passes away, or for an ongoing difficult situation.
彼の家族に不幸があった。
Hint: There was a misfortune in his family (e.g., a death).
§ When to use 災難 (sainan)
Use 災難 (sainan) for:
- Small-scale mishaps or accidents.
- Personal misfortunes that are annoying, inconvenient, or a bit upsetting, but not necessarily tragic.
- Situations where you feel like bad luck has struck, but it's not a major catastrophe.
- Examples include:
財布をなくして、本当に災難だった。
Hint: Losing my wallet was a real misfortune / disaster.
出張中に病気になって災難でした。
Hint: Getting sick during the business trip was a calamity / misfortune.
In summary, 災難 (sainan) is your go-to word for everyday mishaps and personal misfortunes. For larger, impactful events, use 災害 (saigai). For a general state of unhappiness or deep personal tragedy, 不幸 (fukou) is more appropriate.
How Formal Is It?
"この地域の住民は過去に多くの災禍を経験しました。"
"電車が止まって、今日は災難だったね。"
"財布をなくして、とんだことになったよ。"
"おもちゃが壊れちゃって、大変なことになったね。"
"テストで赤点取っちゃって、もう最悪！"
趣味小知识
Many Japanese words related to abstract concepts or formal situations are kango, derived from Chinese.
发音指南
- Pronouncing the 'ai' as two separate sounds instead of a diphthong.
- Not emphasizing the first syllable enough.
难度评级
Two common kanji, straightforward pronunciation.
Kanji require a few strokes each; might need practice for accuracy.
Simple two-mora word.
Clear pronunciation, easy to distinguish.
接下来学什么
前置知识
接下来学习
高级
按水平分级的例句
これは大きな災難です。
This is a big disaster.
その日は災難続きでした。
That day was full of misfortunes.
小さな災難がありました。
There was a small misfortune.
彼は災難を乗り越えました。
He overcame the disaster.
私たちに災難が起きました。
A calamity happened to us.
それは予期せぬ災難でした。
It was an unexpected misfortune.
彼は災難を経験しました。
He experienced a disaster.
この災難から学びましょう。
Let's learn from this calamity.
電車が遅れて、災難だった。
The train was delayed, it was a disaster/misfortune.
彼はいつも災難に遭う。
He always encounters misfortunes.
雨の日に傘を忘れるなんて災難だ。
Forgetting an umbrella on a rainy day is such a misfortune.
旅行中にパスポートをなくすのは災難だ。
Losing your passport while traveling is a disaster.
あの火事は本当に大きな災難だった。
That fire was truly a great calamity.
地震の後の生活は災難続きだった。
Life after the earthquake was a series of misfortunes.
鍵をなくして家に入れないなんて、まさに災難。
Losing my key and not being able to enter the house, that's truly a disaster.
風邪をひいて試験を受けられないのは災難だ。
Getting a cold and not being able to take the exam is a misfortune.
地震は大きな災難でした。
The earthquake was a big disaster.
電車が遅れて、今日の会議に間に合わないのは災難だ。
The train was delayed, and it's a misfortune that I won't make it to today's meeting.
彼の不注意が災難を招いた。
His carelessness brought about the misfortune.
この嵐は漁師たちにとって大きな災難となった。
This storm became a great calamity for the fishermen.
財布をなくしてしまって、本当に災難だ。
I lost my wallet, it's really a misfortune.
交通事故は突然の災難です。
A traffic accident is a sudden calamity.
旅行中に病気になるなんて、全くの災難だった。
Getting sick during the trip was a complete misfortune.
その工場火災は会社にとって大きな災難だった。
That factory fire was a huge disaster for the company.
彼らは旅行中に多くの災難に見舞われた。
They encountered many misfortunes during their trip.
その出来事は私たちにとって大きな災難だった。
That event was a great calamity for us.
彼は不注意から災難を招いた。
His carelessness led to disaster.
戦争は常に人類に災難をもたらす。
War always brings misfortune to humanity.
その事故は予期せぬ災難だった。
The accident was an unexpected disaster.
自然災害は多くの人々に災難をもたらした。
Natural disasters brought misfortune to many people.
彼は災難を乗り越えて成功した。
He overcame the misfortune and succeeded.
災難が降りかかっても、私たちは希望を失わない。
Even if disaster strikes, we won't lose hope.
その地域は度重なる自然災害に見舞われた。
That region was hit by repeated natural disasters.
予期せぬ災難に見舞われたにもかかわらず、彼は冷静を保った。
Despite facing unexpected misfortune, he remained calm.
旅行中にパスポートを紛失するという災難に見舞われた。
I experienced the misfortune of losing my passport during the trip.
彼の不注意が、会社に大きな災難をもたらした。
His carelessness brought great calamity to the company.
あの火災は地域にとって大きな災難だった。
That fire was a huge disaster for the community.
私たちはどんな災難にも屈しない覚悟だ。
We are prepared not to succumb to any misfortune.
一連の災難が彼を打ちのめした。
A series of calamities struck him down.
彼女は災難から奇跡的に生き延びた。
She miraculously survived the disaster.
自然災害は予期せぬ瞬間に私たちを襲い、甚大な災難をもたらすことがあります。
Natural disasters can strike unexpectedly and bring great misfortune.
彼の不注意な行動が、チーム全体にとって大きな災難となった。
His careless actions became a great calamity for the entire team.
経済危機は多くの企業にとって避けられない災難だった。
The economic crisis was an unavoidable disaster for many companies.
旅行中にパスポートを紛失し、まさに災難に見舞われた。
Losing my passport while traveling was truly a misfortune.
度重なる技術的な問題は、プロジェクトの遅延という災難を招いた。
Repeated technical problems led to the calamity of project delays.
その日、彼女は不幸にも交通事故という災難に巻き込まれてしまった。
That day, she unfortunately got caught in the misfortune of a traffic accident.
予期せぬ停電は、手術中の病院にとって重大な災難だった。
The unexpected power outage was a serious calamity for the hospital during surgery.
戦争は常に人類に計り知れない災難をもたらす。
War always brings immeasurable disaster to humanity.
常见搭配
常用短语
今日は災難な一日だった。
Today was a disastrous day. (Literally: Today was a day of misfortune.)
彼は思わぬ災難に巻き込まれた。
He was caught in an unexpected misfortune.
あの事故は本当に災難だった。
That accident was truly a disaster.
こんな災難は初めてだ。
This is the first time I've experienced such a misfortune.
彼らは災難を無事に乗り越えた。
They safely overcame the disaster.
旅先で災難に遭わないように気をつけよう。
Let's be careful not to encounter any misfortunes while traveling.
突然の雨で、本当に災難だった。
With the sudden rain, it was truly a misfortune.
彼の家は災難続きだった。
His family had a series of misfortunes.
それは避けられない災難だった。
It was an unavoidable disaster.
災難を最小限に抑える。
To minimize the disaster/misfortune.
容易混淆的词
災害 is a large-scale disaster, like a natural disaster. 災難 is more general misfortune or calamity, which can be personal or large-scale.
不幸 emphasizes the state of being unhappy or unfortunate. 災難 refers to the event itself that causes trouble.
困難 refers to difficulties or challenges to overcome. 災難 is an unexpected negative event that happens.
容易混淆
Often confused with 災難 (さいなん) because both relate to negative events. However, 災害 specifically refers to natural or man-made disasters with widespread impact.
災害 (さいがい) is a large-scale disaster, often natural (like an earthquake or flood) or a major accident. 災難 (さいなん) is generally a more personal misfortune or trouble, though it can also refer to a disaster. Think of 災害 as 'disaster' in a broad, impactful sense, and 災難 as 'misfortune' or 'calamity' that can be large or small.
地震や台風は<b>災害</b>です。 (Earthquakes and typhoons are disasters.)
Both 災難 and 不幸 express bad luck or unfortunate events. The confusion arises from their overlapping meanings.
不幸 (ふこう) emphasizes the state of being unhappy or unfortunate, often related to personal feelings or circumstances. 災難 (さいなん) focuses more on the event itself that causes trouble or damage. You might experience 災難, which then leads to 不幸.
彼に<b>不幸</b>な出来事が続いた。 (Unfortunate events kept happening to him.)
Both words describe difficult situations. 困難 often implies challenges or hardships, which can be similar to misfortunes.
困難 (こんなん) refers to difficulties or challenges that need to be overcome. It's often used in the context of tasks or situations requiring effort. 災難 (さいなん) is more about an unexpected negative event that happens to someone, rather than a problem to be solved through effort.
この問題を解決するのは<b>困難</b>だ。 (Solving this problem is difficult.)
This katakana word is commonly used in Japanese to mean 'trouble' or 'problems,' which can be similar to the concept of 災難.
トラブル is a direct loanword from English 'trouble' and carries a similar meaning. It's often used for smaller, everyday problems or issues. 災難 (さいなん) can encompass a wider range of misfortunes, from minor annoyances to serious calamities, and often carries a more fateful or severe connotation than トラブル.
車のエンジンに<b>トラブル</b>があった。 (There was trouble with the car's engine.)
An accident is certainly a type of misfortune, leading to confusion with 災難.
事故 (じこ) specifically refers to an unforeseen and unintentional event, often resulting in damage, injury, or death, such as a car accident or industrial accident. While an 事故 is a type of 災難, 災難 is a broader term that includes misfortunes not necessarily categorized as accidents (e.g., losing your wallet could be a 災難 but not typically an 事故).
交通事故で怪我をした。 (I was injured in a traffic accident.)
如何使用
Understanding 災難 (sainan): More than just 'disaster'
While 災難 (sainan) translates to 'disaster' or 'misfortune,' it often implies an unfortunate event that is not necessarily catastrophic but still causes trouble or distress. Think of it as a significant inconvenience or a run of bad luck rather than something on the scale of a natural disaster (though it can encompass that too).
When to use it:
- Personal setbacks: Losing your wallet, missing a flight, or having your plans unexpectedly derailed.
- Minor accidents: A small fender bender, spilling coffee on your important documents.
- Unforeseen problems: Technical glitches, a sudden downpour ruining an outdoor event.
Examples:
今日は災難続きだった。
Kyō wa sainan tsuzuki datta.
(I had one misfortune after another today.)彼は交通事故で災難に遭った。
Kare wa kōtsū jiko de sainan ni atta.
(He met with an accident/misfortune in a traffic accident.)こんな時に限って、また災難が起きた。
Konna toki ni kagitte, mata sainan ga okita.
(Just at this inconvenient time, another misfortune occurred.)
Common Mistakes with 災難 (sainan)
-
Using it for minor annoyances:
While 災難 can be for significant inconveniences, it's generally too strong for very minor annoyances like a slight delay or a small spill that's easily cleaned. For those, terms like 「ちょっとした問題 (chotto shita mondai - a small problem)」 or simply describing the situation are more appropriate.
Incorrect: バスが5分遅れて、災難だった。
Basu ga go-fun okurete, sainan datta.
(The bus was 5 minutes late, it was a disaster.)Correct: バスが5分遅れて、困った。
Basu ga go-fun okurete, komatta.
(The bus was 5 minutes late, which was a bother.) -
Overlapping with 「不幸 (fukō)」:
While both relate to misfortune, 不幸 (fukō) often carries a stronger connotation of unhappiness, bad luck, or tragedy, sometimes implying a more serious or long-term state. 災難 is more about specific events that cause trouble.
Example where 災難 is better: 財布を失くすという災難に見舞われた。
Saifu o nakusu to iu sainan ni mimawareta.
(I was struck by the misfortune of losing my wallet.)Example where 不幸 is better: 彼の人生は不幸の連続だった。
Kare no jinsei wa fukō no renzoku datta.
(His life was a series of misfortunes/unhappiness.)
小贴士
Learn the Kanji for 災難
The kanji for 災難 are 災 (wazawai) meaning disaster and 難 (nan) meaning difficulty or hardship. Understanding these individual meanings can help you remember the overall meaning of 災難.
Contextual Usage of 災難
災難 is often used to describe unexpected and unfortunate events, ranging from minor inconveniences to major catastrophes. It’s a good general term for bad luck or a calamity.
Common Phrases with 災難
You might hear phrases like 災難に遭う (sainan ni au), which means to encounter a disaster or suffer a misfortune. This is a very common way to use the word.
Differentiating from Similar Words
While similar to 災害 (saigai - natural disaster) or 不幸 (fukou - unhappiness/misfortune), 災難 often carries a nuance of something happening to someone personally, rather than a broad, large-scale event. It can also be used for less severe misfortunes.
Use with particles
When describing suffering a misfortune, the particle に (ni) is often used, as in 災難に遭う (sainan ni au). This indicates the misfortune is something you encountered or fell victim to.
Practice with examples
Try creating your own sentences using 災難. For example, 昨日、財布をなくしてしまって、まさに災難だった (Kinō, saifu o nakushite shimatte, masa ni sainan datta - Yesterday, I lost my wallet, which was truly a misfortune).
Avoid overusing 災難
While useful, be mindful not to overuse 災難 for every minor inconvenience. It generally refers to something a bit more significant than a slight bother, even if not a major catastrophe. Think of it as a genuine misfortune.
Cultural Nuances
In Japanese culture, acknowledging misfortune often involves a sense of resignation or perseverance. Using 災難 can subtly convey this, especially when followed by expressions of effort or overcoming the difficulty. It’s not always about assigning blame.
Formal vs. Informal
災難 is a fairly neutral word and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very casual conversation, you might hear more colloquial expressions for minor inconveniences. For example, ヤバい (yabai) for something bad or terrible.
Listen for 災難 in media
Pay attention to how 災難 is used in Japanese dramas, news, or podcasts. This will give you a better feel for its natural usage and the kinds of situations it describes. You'll hear it in discussions about accidents, setbacks, and other unfortunate events.
记住它
记忆技巧
Think of 'SAI' as 'sigh' and 'NAN' as 'nan' (like 'nanny'). When a 'nanny' experiences a 'sigh' moment, it often implies a 'misfortune' or 'disaster'.
视觉联想
Imagine a giant 'SAI' (サイ) rhinoceros causing a 'NAN' (難) mountain to crumble, leading to a 'disaster'. The 'nan' part of the word 'sainan' sounds like '난' (nan) in Korean, which can mean 'difficulty' or 'trouble'.
Word Web
挑战
Try to describe a small, everyday misfortune you've experienced using 災難 (sainan) in a simple Japanese sentence. For example, '電車に乗り遅れて、災難だった。' (Densha ni noriokurete, sainan datta. - Missing the train was a misfortune.)
词源
Sino-Japanese word (kango)
原始含义： Combination of '災' (sai - disaster, calamity) and '難' (nan - difficulty, hardship).
Sino-Tibetan (through Chinese)文化背景
When a Japanese person says '災難でしたね' (sainan desu ne), it's a way of expressing sympathy and acknowledging someone's unfortunate experience. It's often used for smaller misfortunes too, like missing a train or having a bad day, not just major disasters. This phrase highlights the cultural emphasis on empathy and shared understanding in facing difficulties.
常见问题
10 个问题While both 災難 (sainan) and 災害 (saigai) relate to unfortunate events, they have slightly different nuances. 災害 (saigai) typically refers to large-scale, often natural, disasters like earthquakes, typhoons, or floods. Think of things that affect many people and cause widespread damage. For example:
大雨で災害が起きた。 (おおあめ で さいがい が おきた。) - A disaster occurred due to heavy rain.
災難 (sainan), on the other hand, is a bit broader. It can refer to a personal misfortune, an unexpected bad event, or a smaller-scale disaster. It often carries a sense of something unforeseen and unlucky. For example:
今日はひどい災難だった。 (きょう は ひどい さいなん だった。) - Today was a terrible misfortune.
So, you could say all 災害 are 災難, but not all 災難 are 災害.
No, not really. While spilling coffee is certainly an inconvenience, 災難 (sainan) is generally used for more significant misfortunes or disasters. It implies a level of bad luck or an unfortunate event that goes beyond a simple mishap. For a minor inconvenience like spilling coffee, you might say 「大変だ！」 (たいへん だ！) or 「やっちゃった！」 (やっちゃった！) instead.
Yes, there are a few common expressions with 災難 (sainan). One you'll hear often is 「災難に遭う」 (sainan ni au), which means 'to encounter a misfortune' or 'to suffer a calamity.' For example:
旅行中に災難に遭った。 (りょこうちゅう に さいなん に あった。) - I encountered a misfortune during my trip.
Another one is 「災難を避ける」 (sainan o sakeru), meaning 'to avoid a misfortune.'
彼は災難を避けることができた。 (かれ は さいなん を さける こと が できた。) - He was able to avoid a misfortune.
災難 (sainan) is a fairly neutral word. It's not overly formal, nor is it particularly informal. You can use it in a variety of contexts, from everyday conversations to news reports, when discussing misfortunes or disasters. It's a standard vocabulary word.
災難 is written in kanji. The hiragana reading for 災難 is さいなん (sainan). It is not typically written in katakana unless you are using it for a specific stylistic reason, like emphasis, but generally, you'll see it as kanji.
A wide range of unfortunate events can be considered a 災難 (sainan). This could include:
- Getting robbed or losing your wallet
- Having your car break down unexpectedly
- Experiencing a personal accident (like falling and getting hurt)
- Facing unexpected financial difficulties
- Being involved in a small-scale incident or accident
- Dealing with a sudden, upsetting event in your life
The key is that it's an unfortunate and often unforeseen event that causes trouble or suffering.
Absolutely. You can definitely use 災難 (sainan) to talk about something bad happening to someone else. For example:
彼女はひどい災難に見舞われた。 (かのじょ は ひどい さいなん に みまわれた。) - She was hit by a terrible misfortune.
You're expressing empathy or observing an unfortunate event that someone else is experiencing.
The word 災難 (sainan) is a compound of two kanji:
- 災 (sai): means 'disaster,' 'calamity,' or 'misfortune.'
- 難 (nan): means 'difficulty,' 'hardship,' or 'trouble.'
So, when put together, they convey the meaning of a difficult or troubling disaster/misfortune.
While 災難 (sainan) itself is a noun, you can use it with verbs to express actions related to misfortune. As mentioned earlier, 「災難に遭う」 (sainan ni au), meaning 'to encounter a misfortune,' is very common. You can also form expressions like 「災難が起こる」 (sainan ga okoru), meaning 'a misfortune occurs.' There isn't a direct verb form like 'to misfortunate' in English, but you use auxiliary verbs or common verb phrases with the noun.
A common way to express 'what a misfortune!' or 'how unlucky!' using 災難 (sainan) is to say:
「それは災難だったね。」 (sore wa sainan datta ne.) - That was a misfortune, wasn't it? (Used to show sympathy for someone else's bad luck)
Or more directly, you might hear:
「災難だ！」 (sainan da!) - It's a misfortune! (More of an exclamation when something bad happens.)
The nuance changes slightly with context and particle usage.
自我测试 144 个问题
Listen to the sentence and understand the general meaning.
Listen for the word '災難' and how it's used to describe the meeting.
Focus on identifying the negative sentiment associated with '災難'.
Read this aloud:
災難でした。
Focus: sa-i-nan de-shi-ta
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
それは災難だね。
Focus: so-re wa sa-i-nan da ne
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
大きな災難。
Focus: oo-ki-na sa-i-nan
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Write a short sentence using 「これ」 (kore) and 「災難」 (sainan) to say "This is a disaster."
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
これは災難です。
Write a simple sentence in Japanese saying "That was a misfortune." Use 「それ」 (sore) and 「災難」 (sainan).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
それは災難でした。
Imagine something bad happened. Write a short Japanese sentence expressing "Oh no, what a calamity!" Use 「ああ」 (aa) and 「災難」 (sainan).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
ああ、災難です！
What does B think about the situation?
Read this passage:
A: これは大変です。 B: ええ、本当に災難ですね。
What does B think about the situation?
B uses 「災難ですね」 (sainan desu ne) which means 'It's a misfortune/disaster, isn't it?'
B uses 「災難ですね」 (sainan desu ne) which means 'It's a misfortune/disaster, isn't it?'
What was the misfortune described in the passage?
Read this passage:
昨日、傘を忘れました。雨が降って、ずぶ濡れになりました。本当に災難でした。
What was the misfortune described in the passage?
The passage says 「傘を忘れました。雨が降って、ずぶ濡れになりました。本当に災難でした。」 (Kasa o wasuremashita. Ame ga futte, zubunure ni narimashita. Hontō ni sainan deshita.) meaning 'I forgot my umbrella. It rained and I got soaking wet. It was a real misfortune.'
The passage says 「傘を忘れました。雨が降って、ずぶ濡れになりました。本当に災難でした。」 (Kasa o wasuremashita. Ame ga futte, zubunure ni narimashita. Hontō ni sainan deshita.) meaning 'I forgot my umbrella. It rained and I got soaking wet. It was a real misfortune.'
Why is the speaker experiencing a 'disaster' or 'misfortune'?
Read this passage:
朝、電車が止まりました。会社に遅刻しました。これは災難です。
Why is the speaker experiencing a 'disaster' or 'misfortune'?
The passage states 「電車が止まりました。会社に遅刻しました。これは災難です。」 (Densha ga tomarimashita. Kaisha ni chikoku shimashita. Kore wa sainan desu.) meaning 'The train stopped. I was late for work. This is a disaster.'
The passage states 「電車が止まりました。会社に遅刻しました。これは災難です。」 (Densha ga tomarimashita. Kaisha ni chikoku shimashita. Kore wa sainan desu.) meaning 'The train stopped. I was late for work. This is a disaster.'
'これは' (kore wa) means 'this is', '小さな' (chiisana) means 'small', '災難' (sainan) means 'misfortune', and 'でした' (deshita) is the past tense of 'is'. So, 'This was a small misfortune.'
'その' (sono) means 'that', '災難' (sainan) means 'disaster', 'は' (wa) is a topic particle, and '避けられなかった' (sakerarenakatta) means 'could not be avoided'. So, 'That disaster could not be avoided.'
'彼らは' (karera wa) means 'they', '災難' (sainan) means 'calamity', 'から' (kara) means 'from', and '逃れた' (nogareta) means 'escaped'. So, 'They escaped from the calamity.'
先週、私は財布をなくしてしまって、本当に___でした。
Context indicates a negative event, and 災難 (disaster/misfortune) fits perfectly. 幸運 means good luck, 平和 means peace, and 成功 means success.
その船は嵐に遭って、大きな___に見舞われた。
The sentence describes a ship encountering a storm, which is a negative event. 災難 (disaster/misfortune) is the appropriate word. 喜び means joy, 幸い means good fortune, and 希望 means hope.
彼の車が故障したのは、全く予期せぬ___だった。
A car breaking down unexpectedly is a misfortune. 災難 (disaster/misfortune) is the correct choice. 出来事 means event, 偶然 means coincidence, and 計画 means plan.
旅行中にパスポートをなくすなんて、本当に___な出来事だ。
Losing a passport during a trip is clearly a misfortune. 災難 (disaster/misfortune) is the right word. 楽しい means fun, 素晴らしい means wonderful, and 普通 means ordinary.
その日、私たちは予期せぬ___に巻き込まれてしまった。
Being caught in an unexpected event that is negative suggests 災難 (disaster/misfortune). 幸運 means good luck, 冒険 means adventure, and 祭り means festival.
大雨のせいで電車が遅れ、通勤はまったくの___だった。
A delayed train due to heavy rain making a commute difficult is a misfortune. 災難 (disaster/misfortune) fits the context. 喜び means joy, 経験 means experience, and 日課 means daily routine.
Choose the word that means 'disaster' or 'misfortune'.
「災難」 (さいなん) directly translates to disaster, misfortune, or calamity. 「幸せ」 means happiness, 「成功」 means success, and 「平和」 means peace.
Which sentence uses 「災難」 correctly?
「災難」 refers to an unfortunate event, so 'there was a big misfortune' is the correct usage. The other options are nonsensical.
What is the reading for 災難?
The correct reading for 災難 is さいなん (sainan).
「災難」 can be used to describe a very lucky event.
「災難」 means disaster or misfortune, so it's the opposite of a lucky event.
If you say 「これは災難だ」, you are expressing that something bad has happened.
「これは災難だ」 translates to 'This is a disaster' or 'This is a misfortune,' indicating a bad situation.
「災難」 is typically used as a verb.
「災難」 is a noun, meaning disaster or misfortune. It is not typically used as a verb.
This was a real misfortune, wasn't it?
The earthquake brought a great disaster.
I want to avoid such a calamity.
Read this aloud:
それは災難だったね。
Focus: sa-i-nan
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
大変な災難だ。
Focus: ta-i-hen-na
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
災難を乗り越える。
Focus: no-ri-ko-e-ru
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Write a short sentence describing a small, everyday misfortune using 「災難」.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
今日は財布を忘れて、ちょっとした災難でした。 (Forgetting my wallet today was a bit of a misfortune.)
Imagine you had a bad day. Write one sentence using 「災難」 to explain a minor unfortunate event.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
傘を忘れて雨に降られたのは、本当に災難だった。 (Getting caught in the rain because I forgot my umbrella was truly a misfortune.)
Complete the sentence: 「電車が遅れて、会社に遅刻したのは___でした。」 (The train was late, and being late for work was ___.) using 「災難」.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
電車が遅れて、会社に遅刻したのは災難でした。 (The train was late, and being late for work was a misfortune.)
What is described as a small misfortune?
Read this passage:
朝、家を出たら鍵を忘れてしまいました。これは小さな災難です。すぐに戻って鍵を取りました。
What is described as a small misfortune?
The passage states 「鍵を忘れてしまいました。これは小さな災難です。」 which means 'I forgot my keys. This is a small misfortune.'
The passage states 「鍵を忘れてしまいました。これは小さな災難です。」 which means 'I forgot my keys. This is a small misfortune.'
What happened that was a misfortune?
Read this passage:
昨日、新しい服にコーヒーをこぼしてしまいました。本当に災難でした。すぐに洗いましたが、シミが残りました。
What happened that was a misfortune?
The sentence 「新しい服にコーヒーをこぼしてしまいました。本当に災難でした。」 directly translates to 'I spilled coffee on my new clothes. It was truly a misfortune.'
The sentence 「新しい服にコーヒーをこぼしてしまいました。本当に災難でした。」 directly translates to 'I spilled coffee on my new clothes. It was truly a misfortune.'
What kind of misfortune did the person experience during their trip?
Read this passage:
旅行中にパスポートをなくしました。これは大変な災難です。大使館に連絡して、新しいパスポートを作りました。
What kind of misfortune did the person experience during their trip?
The passage says 「旅行中にパスポートをなくしました。これは大変な災難です。」 which means 'I lost my passport during my trip. This is a great misfortune.'
The passage says 「旅行中にパスポートをなくしました。これは大変な災難です。」 which means 'I lost my passport during my trip. This is a great misfortune.'
This sentence means 'He had a misfortune.' The particle 'に' (ni) indicates the recipient of the misfortune.
This means 'That was a big disaster.' 'それは' (sore wa) means 'that (topic)', and '大きな' (ookina) means 'big.'
This sentence means 'To protect family from disaster.' 'を' (o) marks the direct object, and 'から' (kara) means 'from.'
Choose the best English translation for 「災難に遭う」.
「災難に遭う」is a common phrase meaning 'to encounter a misfortune' or 'to meet with a disaster'.
Which word best fits the blank in 「彼は___な目に遭った。」?
「災難な目に遭う」means 'to suffer a misfortune'. The other options don't fit the context of suffering a negative experience.
Identify the kanji for 'misfortune' in 「地震は大きな災難だった。」
「災難」is composed of 「災」(calamity) and 「難」(difficulty/misfortune).
The word 「災難」can be used to describe a minor inconvenience, like spilling coffee.
「災難」refers to significant disasters, misfortunes, or calamities, not minor inconveniences. For spilling coffee, you might use something like 「残念」 (unfortunate) or 「大変」 (troublesome).
If someone says 「災難でしたね。」, they are likely expressing sympathy for a difficult situation.
「災難でしたね。」is a common empathetic expression used when someone has experienced a misfortune or difficult event, similar to saying 'That's unfortunate, isn't it?' or 'What a disaster.'
「災難」is typically used in positive contexts to describe good fortune.
「災難」specifically denotes negative events such as disasters, misfortunes, or calamities. It is never used to describe good fortune.
The earthquake was a big...
I encountered a small... during my trip.
They overcame that...
Read this aloud:
先週、私は予期せぬ災難に見舞われました。
Focus: 災難 (さいなん)
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
突然の嵐は私たちにとって本当に大きな災難でした。
Focus: 大きな災難 (おおきなさいなん)
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
どんな災難が起きても、私たちは助け合います。
Focus: どんな災難 (どんなさいなん)
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Write a sentence describing a small misfortune you experienced, using 災難.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
昨日、傘を忘れて雨に降られたのは小さな災難でした。
Imagine someone is having a really bad day. Write a short message expressing sympathy, using 災難.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
災難でしたね。今日は大変な一日でした。
Describe a natural disaster that happened in the news recently, using the word 災難.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
最近の地震は大きな災難でした。
筆者が経験した災難は何ですか？
Read this passage:
先週、旅行に行きましたが、飛行機が遅れて大変な目に遭いました。これはまさに災難でした。でも、最終的には楽しい旅行になりました。
筆者が経験した災難は何ですか？
筆者は飛行機が遅れたことを「災難」と表現しています。
筆者は飛行機が遅れたことを「災難」と表現しています。
筆者が困っている主な理由は何ですか？
Read this passage:
昨日の夜、パソコンが突然壊れてしまいました。大事なデータがたくさん入っていたので、本当に困っています。こんな災難は初めてです。
筆者が困っている主な理由は何ですか？
筆者は「大事なデータがたくさん入っていたので、本当に困っています」と述べています。
筆者は「大事なデータがたくさん入っていたので、本当に困っています」と述べています。
友達が経験した災難は何ですか？
Read this passage:
友達が財布をなくしてしまいました。連絡先も何も入っていなかったので、途方に暮れています。かわいそうな災難です。
友達が経験した災難は何ですか？
友達は「財布をなくしてしまいました」と書かれています。
友達は「財布をなくしてしまいました」と書かれています。
This sentence means 'They overcame that disaster.' The particles を and は are key.
This means 'An unexpected disaster struck them.' が marks the subject and を marks the object.
This sentence translates to 'That accident was a great misfortune.' は marks the topic.
突然の嵐で旅行計画が台無しになり、まったくの___だった。
文脈から、嵐によって旅行計画が台無しになったという否定的な状況が示されているため、「災難」が適切です。
予期せぬ停電は、私たちにとって大きな___でした。
停電は通常、不便や問題を引き起こすため、否定的な意味を持つ「災難」が適切です。
仕事で失敗してしまい、本当に___な一日でした。
仕事での失敗は、通常、悪い出来事を指すため、「災難」が状況に合致します。
彼の不注意が原因で、私たちは大きな___に見舞われた。
不注意が原因で起こることは、通常、否定的な結果をもたらすため、「災難」が適切です。
電車が遅延し、会議に間に合わなかったのはまったくの___だった。
会議に間に合わないことは、通常、不運な出来事を指すため、「災難」が適切です。
予期せぬ故障で車が動かなくなり、ドライブが___に変わってしまった。
車の故障は通常、計画を台無しにするため、「災難」が最も適切な選択肢です。
Choose the best word to complete the sentence: 彼の人生には多くの___があった。
The sentence means 'His life had many misfortunes.' '災難' (sainan) means misfortune or calamity, which fits the context.
Which word is a synonym for '災難'?
'不幸' (fukō) means unhappiness or misfortune, which is similar in meaning to '災難' (sainan).
Select the sentence where '災難' is used correctly.
All three sentences correctly use '災難' to describe a disaster, misfortune, or calamity.
The word '災難' typically refers to positive events.
'災難' (sainan) means disaster, misfortune, or calamity, which are negative events.
You can use '災難' to describe a small, inconvenient event.
'災難' (sainan) implies a significant misfortune or calamity, not a small inconvenience.
The kanji for '災' in '災難' means 'disaster' or 'calamity'.
The kanji '災' (sai) indeed means disaster, calamity, or misfortune.
The region experienced a major disaster.
His car breaking down was truly a misfortune.
They faced an unexpected calamity but helped each other overcome it.
Read this aloud:
地震のニュースを見て、また大きな災難が起きたと心が痛んだ。
Focus: さいなん (sainan)
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
旅行中にパスポートをなくすなんて、本当に災難ですね。
Focus: さいなんですね (sainan desu ne)
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
この計画が失敗したら、それは会社にとって大きな災難となるでしょう。
Focus: おおきなさいなん (ōkina sainan)
你说的：
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Write a short paragraph about a time you or someone you know experienced a small 'disaster' or 'misfortune' (災難). How did you deal with it? (50-70 words)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
先日、電車に乗り遅れてしまい、会議に遅刻しました。これは私にとって小さな災難でした。すぐに上司に連絡し、謝罪しました。幸い、会議はまだ始まっていなかったので、大事には至りませんでした。今後はもっと早く家を出るように気をつけます。
Imagine you are writing a news report about a recent natural disaster. Use the word '災難' to describe the event and its impact. (70-90 words)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
先週、〇〇地方を襲った大規模な台風は、住民にとって大きな災難となりました。多くの家屋が浸水し、道路が寸断されたため、生活に深刻な影響が出ています。電気や水道も止まり、復旧には時間がかかると見られています。被災地の住民は、一日も早い復興を願っています。
You are giving advice to a friend who is going through a difficult time. Use '災難' to acknowledge their situation and offer encouragement. (60-80 words)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
最近、色々と大変な災難が続いていると聞いて、心配しています。でも、どんな状況でも、あなたは一人じゃないよ。私がいつもそばにいるし、力になれることがあれば言ってね。この困難な時期も、きっと乗り越えられると信じているよ。頑張って！
Aさんはどのような災難に見舞われましたか？
Read this passage:
A: 昨日、財布を落としてしまって、本当に災難だったよ。 B: え、それは大変だったね！見つかったの？ A: 結局見つからなかったんだけど、クレジットカードはすぐに止めたから大丈夫だったよ。 B: それは不幸中の幸いだったね。
Aさんはどのような災難に見舞われましたか？
Aさんは「財布を落としてしまって」と述べています。
Aさんは「財布を落としてしまって」と述べています。
この文章によると、自然災害の増加がもたらす「災難」の例として挙げられているものは何ですか？
Read this passage:
地球温暖化の影響で、近年世界中で自然災害が増加しています。例えば、大規模な洪水や干ばつ、異常な猛暑などが頻発し、多くの地域で住民の生活に大きな災難をもたらしています。これらの災難は、食料不足や経済的な損失など、様々な問題を引き起こしています。
この文章によると、自然災害の増加がもたらす「災難」の例として挙げられているものは何ですか？
文章の最後に「食料不足や経済的な損失など、様々な問題を引き起こしています」と書かれています。
文章の最後に「食料不足や経済的な損失など、様々な問題を引き起こしています」と書かれています。
この町の住民たちは、災難にどのように対処しましたか？
Read this passage:
ある小さな町で、突然の豪雨により橋が崩落しました。この災難により、町は一時的に孤立状態となり、物資の供給が滞りました。しかし、住民たちは互いに助け合い、食料や水を分け合いながらこの困難な状況を乗り越えようと努力しました。最終的には、軍が支援に駆けつけ、町の孤立は解消されました。
この町の住民たちは、災難にどのように対処しましたか？
文章中に「住民たちは互いに助け合い、食料や水を分け合いながらこの困難な状況を乗り越えようと努力しました」とあります。
文章中に「住民たちは互いに助け合い、食料や水を分け合いながらこの困難な状況を乗り越えようと努力しました」とあります。
This sentence means 'They overcame that disaster.' The order follows a typical Japanese sentence structure: subject, object, verb.
This sentence translates to 'The sudden storm was truly a disaster.' '突然の嵐' (sudden storm) is the subject, followed by 'まさに' (truly) for emphasis, and '災難だった' (was a disaster) as the predicate.
This means 'An unexpected calamity befell them.' '予期せぬ災難' (unexpected calamity) is the subject, '彼らを' (them) is the object, and '襲った' (attacked/befell) is the verb.
突然の嵐でフェリーが欠航となり、乗客は思わぬ___に見舞われた。
文脈から、フェリー欠航は予期せぬ不運な出来事を指すため、「災難」が適切です。
彼の人生は常に___の連続で、苦労が絶えない。
「苦労が絶えない」という記述から、彼の人生は不運な出来事が続いていることが示唆されており、「災難」が当てはまります。
その地域では、数年ごとに洪水という自然___が発生する。
洪水は自然による不幸な出来事であるため、「災難」が文脈に合致します。
不注意から生じたその事故は、彼にとって大きな___となった。
事故は一般的に不運な出来事であり、大きな打撃を与えるため、「災難」が適切です。
友人を助けるために立ち上がったが、それが新たな___を招くとは予想もしなかった。
「新たな不運な出来事を招く」という意味合いから、「災難」が最も適しています。
予期せぬ停電により、データが失われるというコンピューターの___が発生した。
データの喪失は不運な出来事であり、システム障害とみなせるため、「災難」が適切です。
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 彼の人生は多くの___に見舞われた。
The sentence describes a life filled with many unfortunate events, making '災難' (disaster, misfortune) the most suitable choice.
Which word best fits the context? 地震は予期せぬ___だった。
An earthquake is a natural disaster, so '災難' (disaster) is the best fit.
Select the word that conveys a sense of unfortunate event: 旅行中にパスポートをなくすという___に見舞われた。
Losing a passport during a trip is an unfortunate event, making '災難' (misfortune) the correct answer.
「災難」は通常、良い出来事を指す。
「災難」は「disaster; misfortune; calamity」を意味し、通常は悪い出来事を指します。
自然災害は「災難」の一種である。
「災難」は地震や洪水などの自然災害を含む広い意味で使われます。
「災難」はポジティブな状況を表すことができる。
「災難」は常にネガティブな、不幸な状況を指します。
The region was hit by an unexpected misfortune.
We all cooperated to overcome that calamity.
A small carelessness can lead to a big disaster.
Read this aloud:
突然の嵐は私たちにとってまさに災難でした。
Focus: 災難 (sainan)
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
困難な時期でしたが、彼らは災難を乗り越えました。
Focus: 乗り越えました (norikoemashita)
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
このような災難が二度と起こらないよう願っています。
Focus: 二度と (nido to)
你说的：
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This sentence describes how his life changed due to a great misfortune. '彼の生活は' (His life) is the subject, '大災難によって' (by a great misfortune) indicates the cause, and '変わってしまった' (changed completely) is the verb.
This sentence means 'Small misfortunes accumulated and became a big problem.' '小さな災難が' (Small misfortunes) is the subject, '重なり' (accumulated) is the verb, and '大きな問題となった' (became a big problem) describes the result.
This sentence translates to 'That trip was plagued by various misfortunes.' 'その旅行は' (That trip) is the subject, and '様々な災難に見舞われた' (was struck by various misfortunes) is the predicate.
The earthquake brought a great disaster to the town.
Hit by an unforeseen misfortune, the plans were interrupted.
The calamity caused by his carelessness affected many people.
Read this aloud:
そのような災難は二度と起こらないように願っています。
Focus: 災難 (sai-nan)
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
この国の歴史は、幾多の災難を乗り越えてきました。
Focus: 乗り越えてきました (nori-koete-kimashita)
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
私たちはどんな災難にも立ち向かう準備ができています。
Focus: 立ち向かう (tachi-mukau)
你说的：
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Imagine you are a disaster relief worker. Describe a significant '災難' (sainan) you encountered and the challenges you faced in assisting the victims. Use '災難' at least once in your response.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
先日、未曾有の大地震による『災難』が発生し、私たちはすぐに救援活動に駆けつけました。崩壊した家屋、途絶えた交通網、そして精神的に大きなショックを受けた被災者の方々を目の当たりにし、その困難さに言葉を失いました。限られた資源と時間の中で、いかに効果的に支援を提供できるかが大きな課題でした。しかし、多くの人々の協力のおかげで、少しずつ復興への道が開けています。
You are writing a letter to a friend, reflecting on a personal '災難' you recently experienced. Explain what happened, how it affected you, and what you learned from it. Make sure to use '災難' once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
親愛なる友人へ、最近、思わぬ『災難』に見舞われ、しばらく連絡ができずにいました。仕事で大きなプロジェクトが失敗し、精神的にかなり落ち込んでしまったんだ。この経験を通じて、準備の大切さと、予期せぬ出来事に対処する心の準備がいかに重要かを痛感したよ。おかげで今は立ち直り、前向きに次のステップへ進もうとしているところだ。
As a journalist, write a short news report about a community's resilience after a '災難'. Focus on how the community came together to overcome the challenges. Use '災難' in your report.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
先月、この地域を襲った記録的な豪雨は、多くの家屋に甚大な被害をもたらし、まさに『災難』と呼ぶべきものでした。しかし、住民たちはこの困難に屈することなく、互いに助け合い、復旧作業に尽力しました。ボランティア活動には老若男女が参加し、地域全体の連帯感がより一層強まりました。この結束力が、早期復興への大きな原動力となっています。
この村人たちは、「海の災難」をどのように乗り越えてきたと述べられていますか？
Read this passage:
ある小さな漁村では、毎年、季節外れの嵐が頻繁に発生し、住民たちはそれを「海の災難」と呼んで恐れていました。しかし、村人たちはその度に協力し、独自の防災システムを構築していきました。頑丈な防波堤を建設し、漁船を安全な場所に避難させる訓練を繰り返し行うことで、かつての「災難」は、今では村の団結力を高める機会となっています。
この村人たちは、「海の災難」をどのように乗り越えてきたと述べられていますか？
文章中には「独自の防災システムを構築していきました」と「その度に協力し」という記述があり、村人たちが自分たちで対策を立て、協力して困難を乗り越えたことが分かります。
文章中には「独自の防災システムを構築していきました」と「その度に協力し」という記述があり、村人たちが自分たちで対策を立て、協力して困難を乗り越えたことが分かります。
この文章で言及されている「未来の災難」の原因は何だとされていますか？
Read this passage:
科学者たちは、地球温暖化が引き起こすであろう未来の「災難」について警鐘を鳴らしています。海面上昇、異常気象、食糧危機など、その影響は広範囲に及ぶと予測されています。これらの問題に対処するためには、国際社会全体の協力と、持続可能な社会への転換が不可欠であると専門家は指摘しています。
この文章で言及されている「未来の災難」の原因は何だとされていますか？
文章の冒頭で「地球温暖化が引き起こすであろう未来の『災難』について警鐘を鳴らしています」と明確に述べられています。
文章の冒頭で「地球温暖化が引き起こすであろう未来の『災難』について警鐘を鳴らしています」と明確に述べられています。
筆者が、彼が事業の失敗という「災難」から学んだこととして強調している点は何ですか？
Read this passage:
彼は事業の失敗という大きな「災難」に見舞われましたが、その経験から多くを学びました。彼は自身の判断ミスを認め、再び立ち上がるために新たな知識とスキルを習得することに専念しました。数年後、彼は以前よりもさらに成功したビジネスマンとして復活し、その経験を語ることで多くの若者に勇気を与えています。
筆者が、彼が事業の失敗という「災難」から学んだこととして強調している点は何ですか？
文章中には「自身の判断ミスを認め、再び立ち上がるために新たな知識とスキルを習得することに専念しました」と記されており、彼が失敗から何を学んだかが直接的に説明されています。
文章中には「自身の判断ミスを認め、再び立ち上がるために新たな知識とスキルを習得することに専念しました」と記されており、彼が失敗から何を学んだかが直接的に説明されています。
This sentence means 'They faced an unavoidable disaster.' The particles connect the words logically.
This sentence translates to 'That region is frequently struck by natural disasters.' The structure describes the region and what happens to it.
This sentence means 'His carelessness led to an unforeseen misfortune.' The subject's action caused the negative outcome.
/ 144 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
災難 describes an unexpected and unfortunate event, ranging from minor bad luck to major disasters.
- misfortune
- calamity
- disaster
Learn the Kanji for 災難
The kanji for 災難 are 災 (wazawai) meaning disaster and 難 (nan) meaning difficulty or hardship. Understanding these individual meanings can help you remember the overall meaning of 災難.
Contextual Usage of 災難
災難 is often used to describe unexpected and unfortunate events, ranging from minor inconveniences to major catastrophes. It’s a good general term for bad luck or a calamity.
Common Phrases with 災難
You might hear phrases like 災難に遭う (sainan ni au), which means to encounter a disaster or suffer a misfortune. This is a very common way to use the word.
Differentiating from Similar Words
While similar to 災害 (saigai - natural disaster) or 不幸 (fukou - unhappiness/misfortune), 災難 often carries a nuance of something happening to someone personally, rather than a broad, large-scale event. It can also be used for less severe misfortunes.
相关内容
这个词在其他语言中
更多general词汇
いくつか
B1An unspecified small number of things; some, a few.
ちょっと
A2A little; a moment; a bit. Small amount or short time.
すこし
A2A little; a few.
さっき
A2A little while ago; a short time past.
能力
A1Nouryoku refers to the mental or physical power, skill, or capacity required to perform a specific task or function. It can describe both innate talent and skills acquired through learning and practice.
異常
A1A word used to describe something that deviates from the normal state, standard, or expected pattern. It often implies a problem, malfunction, or an extraordinary occurrence that requires attention or investigation.
～について
A2About, concerning; indicates topic.
〜について
B1About, concerning; on the subject of.
～ぐらい
A2about, approximately
ぐらい
A2About; approximately; to the extent of.
