Translation guide
The English verb 'injure' covers a range of physical harm, from minor cuts to serious wounds. In Japanese, the most natural expression depends on the type and severity of the injury, as well as the context. This guide helps learners choose the right word or phrase.
I injured my leg.
He was injured in an accident.
To express that someone has been physically hurt, often with a focus on the injured body part.
The most common and general way to say 'get injured' or 'be injured'. Used for both minor and serious injuries. The verb する is often used in past tense した to describe an injury that occurred.
I injured my leg yesterday.
He was seriously injured in an accident.
Means 'to injure' or 'to wound', often implying a cut, bruise, or emotional hurt. Can be used for physical injuries, but also metaphorically for hurting feelings. Transitive verb.
A more formal term for 'be injured', often used in news reports or official contexts. Implies a certain severity.
Three people were injured in the accident.
To say that someone injured a specific part of their body, often as a result of an accident or overuse.
Used for sprains, strains, or overuse injuries like hurting your back or knee. The focus is on the body part becoming painful or damaged.
To describe small, everyday injuries like cuts or bruises.
Means 'to cut'. Used when the injury involves a sharp object. Often used with body part + を.
To describe severe injuries, often from accidents or violence.
Means 'to sustain a serious injury'. Formal and often used in news.
To express that one person caused injury to another.
Causative form of 怪我をする, meaning 'to cause someone to get injured'. Used when the injury is accidental or intentional.
怪我 (けが) refers to an injury in general, often involving pain or damage to the body. 傷 (きず) specifically means a wound, cut, or visible injury. Use 怪我 for the event or condition of being injured, and 傷 for the physical wound itself.
The injury healed, but a scar remained.
傷つける can sound dramatic or emotional. For minor physical injuries like stubbing a toe, use 怪我をする or specific verbs like ぶつける (to bump).
He injured his hand with a knife.
I injured my lower back while exercising.
He injured his elbow playing tennis.
Directly states that a body part was injured. More common in past tense. Note: 怪我 is a noun, so it's 〜を怪我する.
I fell and injured my knee.
紙で指を切った。
I cut my finger on paper.
Noun meaning 'scrape' or 'abrasion'. Often used with できる or する.
I fell and got a scrape.
Noun meaning 'bruise'. Used with できる or ができる.
I bumped my arm and got a bruise.
He was seriously injured in the accident.
Casual way to say 'get badly injured'. Common in spoken Japanese.
I got badly injured skiing.
He carelessly injured his friend.
Transitive verb meaning 'to injure' or 'to wound'. Can be physical or emotional.
Those words deeply injured her.