Vijana wengi wanaojifunza Kiingereza hupata shida kutofautisha maneno "damage" na "harm." Ingawa yanaweza kuonekana sawa, yana maana tofauti kidogo. Kwa ujumla, "damage" humaanisha kuharibu kitu kimwili, wakati "harm" humaanisha kuumiza mtu au kitu, ikiwezekana kihisia au kimwili. "Damage" mara nyingi huhusishwa na vitu visivyo hai, huku "harm" ikiwa na uhusiano mkubwa na viumbe hai.

Hebu tuangalie mifano:

• Damage:

  • Kiingereza: The storm damaged the roof of the house.
  • Kiswahili: Dhoruba iliharibu paa la nyumba.
  • Kiingereza: The accident damaged my car.
  • Kiswahili: Ajali iliharibu gari langu.

• Harm:

  • Kiingereza: The loud noise harmed my ears.
  • Kiswahili: Kelele kubwa iliudhuru masikio yangu.
  • Kiingereza: Don't harm the animals!
  • Kiswahili: Usiwadhuru wanyama!
  • Kiingereza: His words harmed her feelings.
  • Kiswahili: Maneno yake yalimuumiza hisia.

Kumbuka kwamba kuna visa ambavyo maneno haya yanaweza kutumika kwa kubadilishana, lakini kujua tofauti zao kuu kutakusaidia kuzungumza Kiingereza vizuri zaidi. Happy learning!