‘害处’ (hài chù) is a noun meaning ‘harmful effect’ or ‘harm’—something that causes damage, injury, or negative consequences to health, well-being, the environment, or society. The first character 害 (hài) means ‘to harm’ or ‘harmful’, and the second character 处 (chù) here functions as a noun suffix meaning ‘place’ or ‘aspect’, but in this compound it forms an abstract noun indicating ‘the harmful aspect’ or ‘the damaging effect’. Together, they emphasize the negative outcome rather than the act of harming itself.

This word is commonly used in formal or cautionary contexts—such as public health warnings, environmental discussions, or advice about habits (e.g., smoking, poor diet, pollution). It often appears after phrases like ‘有…的害处’ (has the harmful effect of…) or ‘对…有害处’ (is harmful to…). Unlike the verb 害 (hài), 害处 is never used as a verb and always refers to the resulting harm, not the agent or action causing it.