How to say "wound" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 傷きずnounThe most general word for a wound, injury, cut, or gash, whether physical or on a surface. Use it when simply naming the wound itself, as in the wound on one's arm or knee.
- 傷つけるきずつけるichidan verb, transitive verbA verb meaning to wound or to injure someone or something. Use it when describing the act of causing a wound or harm, including emotional hurt, rather than naming the wound.
- 怪我けがnoun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbCovers injuries and wounds in everyday life, such as those from falls, sports, or accidents. It is the natural everyday word for being injured, though it leans toward injury rather than an open wound.
- 負傷ふしょうnoun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbA formal noun for injury or wounds, typically used in news reports and official accounts of accidents or disasters, as in people being injured. It sounds stiff in casual conversation, where 怪我 is preferred.
- 患部かんぶnounRefers to the affected or diseased part of the body, and only marginally to a wound. It is really a medical term for the site of an ailment, so it is seldom the word you want for an ordinary wound.
Use 傷 for a wound or injury itself, 「傷つける」 for the act of wounding, 怪我 for injuries in everyday contexts, 負傷 for injuries in news or formal reports, and 患部 for the affected part of the body.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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