Translation guide
A splint is a rigid support used to immobilize an injured body part. In Japanese, the most common term is 添え木 (soegi), but medical contexts often use 副木 (fukuboku) or 副子 (fukushi). The choice depends on formality and setting.
A rigid support for a broken or injured limb, often improvised or used in first aid.
The most common and widely understood word for a splint, used in everyday conversation and first aid. Literally 'supporting wood', but used for any material.
A splint made from available materials like sticks, boards, or rolled-up newspapers.
An improvised splint. 即席 means 'makeshift' or 'improvised'.
山でけがをしたので、枝で即席の添え木を作った。
I got injured in the mountains, so I made an improvised splint from branches.
A small splint specifically for a finger injury.
Simply 'finger splint'. Can be used for any small finger support.
突き指したので、指の添え木をしています。
I jammed my finger, so I'm wearing a finger splint.
添え木 (soegi) is the everyday word for splint, used in first aid and daily life. 副木 (fukuboku) is a medical term used by doctors and nurses. 副子 (fukushi) is a more technical written term, rarely used in speech. For most situations, 添え木 is best.
The English loanword スプリント (supurinto) is not used for a medical splint. It refers to a sprint in sports or a short burst of activity. Using it for a splint will cause confusion.
骨折した腕に添え木を当てた。
I put a splint on my broken arm.
添え木がないので、雑誌で代用した。
Since there was no splint, I used a magazine instead.
A medical term for a splint, often used by healthcare professionals. More formal than 添え木.
医師が副木で固定してくれた。
The doctor immobilized it with a splint.
Another medical term for splint, synonymous with 副木 but less common in spoken language. Seen in medical texts.
副子を用いて患部を固定する。
Immobilize the affected area using a splint.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'to immobilize with sticks or boards'. Useful when you don't know the word for splint.
骨折した足を棒と布で固定した。
I splinted my broken leg with sticks and cloth.
Buddy taping, where an injured finger is taped to an adjacent finger. Common in sports.
バディテープで固定すれば大丈夫です。
It'll be fine if you buddy tape it.