禍

Core meaning is misfortune or calamity; typically implies a rupture in the cosmic or social order rather than a random accident. Often functions as the binary opposite of 福 (blessing/fortune), suggesting a cyclical turn of fate.

Primarily used as a noun. May also function as a predicate meaning "to bring disaster upon" or "to be ruinous."

Compared to other terms for "disaster": 禍 typically denotes calamity rooted in human action, political failure, or karmic misalignment; 災 usually refers to natural catastrophes (e.g., floods, fire, plague); 殃 often carries the connotation of a scourge, punishment, or inherited disaster.

Simplified variant: 祸 (U+7978).