Today’s word of the day is 害 (hài) which means ‘to harm’. Let’s practice by making different words, phrases, and sentences with 害 (hài).
厉害 (lì hài) Amazing
The first word is 厉害 (lì hài) which can mean ‘amazing’ colloquially. A way of using it in a sentence is: 你好厉害，学中文学多久了？(Nǐ hǎo lìhài, xué zhōng wénxué duōjiǔle?) You are amazing, how long have you studied the Chinese language? I bet our listeners must hear this a lot!
利害 (lì hài) Pros and cons
Confusingly, another word we can create with 害 (hài) is 利害 (lì hài) which means pros and cons. Let’s again look at each character of this word, 利 means to benefit and 害 means harm. A way of using it in a sentence is 请分析这件事的种种利害。(Qǐng fēnxī zhè jiàn shì de zhǒngzhǒng lìhài.) Please analyze the pros and cons of this matter.
害羞 (hài xiū) Shy
Finally, we can create the word 害羞 (hài xiū) which means ‘shy’. The 羞 here means shame. A way of using it in a sentence is 我有点害羞。(Wǒ yǒudiǎn hàixiū.) I’m a little shy.