Translation guide
The English word 'injury' covers a wide range of physical harm. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is けが, but the best choice depends on context: whether it's a wound, a fracture, an internal injury, or a sports injury. This guide helps you pick the right word.
To refer to an injury in everyday conversation, such as a cut, bruise, sprain, or wound from an accident.
To describe a severe injury, often from an accident or disaster, requiring medical attention.
To refer to injury inside the body, such as organ damage or internal bleeding.
Specifically means 'internal organ injury'. Used in medical or emergency contexts.
To talk about injuries sustained during sports or exercise, like sprains, strains, or fractures.
Refers to chronic or overuse injuries from sports. Common in athletic contexts.
To describe a small, superficial injury like a scratch or scrape.
To refer to an injury caused by a sharp object, like a knife or glass.
けが is a general term for injury, including internal and external. 傷 specifically refers to a visible wound or cut. Use けが when the nature of the injury is unclear or broad, and 傷 when you can see a cut or scar.
I don't have a serious injury, but the wound hurts.
傷害 (しょうがい) is a legal/formal term for 'injury' often used in contexts like 'bodily injury' in law. It sounds unnatural for casual conversation about a sprained ankle.
Is your injury okay?
I fell and got a cut on my knee.
Means 'serious injury'. Often used in news reports or medical contexts.
He suffered serious injuries in the accident.
Medical term for 'trauma' or 'external injury'. Used in clinical settings.
Do you have any external injuries?
There is a possibility of internal injuries.
More general term for 'internal damage', not limited to organs.
Internal damage was confirmed.
I took a break from practice due to a sports injury.
Also used for acute sports injuries like sprains or fractures.
I got injured playing soccer.
Means 'scratch' or 'graze'. A very minor injury.
It's just a scratch, so I'm fine.
Specifically a 'scrape' or 'abrasion', like from falling on pavement.
I fell and got a scrape.
Means 'cut' or 'incised wound'. Used for injuries from knives, paper, etc.
I cut my finger with a kitchen knife.
Means 'stab wound' or 'puncture wound'.
Blood is coming from the stab wound.
assault case (lit. injury incident)