How to say "wrench" in Japanese

• ひねるJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbA common verb for twisting or wrenching something, and also for turning a tap or switch. Use it when you physically twist an object with a turning motion.
• ねじるJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbA close synonym of ひねる meaning to twist or wrench, with the additional sense of screwing. Either verb works for twisting something, but this one adds the screwing motion.
  その取っ手とってを右みぎにねじると箱ばこは開ひらきます。↗

  Twist that knob to the right and the box will open.
• 捻挫ねんざCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbA noun for the injury sense: a sprain, the wrenching or twisting of a joint. Use it when 'wrench' refers to hurting a joint, not to twisting an object.
  滑すべって足首あしくびを捻挫ねんざした。↗

  I slipped and twisted my ankle.
• 挫傷ざしょうCommon
  noun, suru verbReally a word for a bruise or contusion; its 'wrench' gloss is marginal, so it is seldom the word you want when talking about wrenching something.

For twisting or wrenching an object, choose the verbs 「ひねる」 or 「ねじる」; for a wrenched joint, 捻挫 is the sprain term, while 挫傷 is really a bruise or contusion word.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• ひねるto twist
• ねじるto twist
• 捻挫ねんざsprain
• 挫傷ざしょうsprain
• レンチwrench
• こじるto pry (open)
• ねじれtwist
• スパナspanner
• ねじ上げるねじあげるto twist (e.g. someone's arm)
• ひん曲げるひんまげるto bend (with great force)
• ねじり上げるねじりあげるto twist (e.g. someone's arm)