受 (shòu) means 'to receive' or 'to undergo', and 害 (hài) means 'harm', 'injury', or 'damage'. Together, 受害 literally means 'to receive harm' — that is, to suffer harm, injury, or loss, often as a result of another person’s actions or adverse circumstances. It emphasizes the passive experience of being negatively affected, especially in contexts involving crime, accidents, illness, or injustice.

This word is commonly used in formal, journalistic, or legal settings — for example, when reporting on victims of fraud, natural disasters, or abuse. Unlike more general terms like 受伤 (to get injured), 受害 carries a stronger implication of being wronged or victimized, often with social or moral weight. It frequently appears in noun phrases like 受害者 (victim) or 受害情况 (extent of harm suffered). While it can describe physical or psychological harm, it rarely refers to minor inconveniences — the sense of significant, often unjust, suffering is central.