Translation guide
A sprain is an injury to a ligament caused by overstretching. In Japanese, the most common way to express this is using the verb 捻挫する (nenza suru) or the noun 捻挫 (nenza). For specific body parts, compound verbs like 足首を捻る (ashikubi o hineru, to twist one's ankle) are very natural. Note that 捻挫 is a medical term; in casual speech, people often describe the action that caused the injury.
To refer to a sprain as a medical condition or injury, suitable for formal contexts or when speaking to a doctor.
Noun meaning 'sprain'. Used in medical contexts and everyday conversation. Can be used with する to mean 'to sprain'.
捻挫したかもしれません。
I might have sprained it.
捻挫の治療には安静が大切です。
Rest is important for treating a sprain.
Verb meaning 'to sprain'. Often used in past tense (捻挫した) to describe the injury.
昨日、足首を捻挫しました。
I sprained my ankle yesterday.
To describe the action of twisting a joint, which often results in a sprain. This is the most natural way to talk about sprains in casual conversation.
Means 'to twist' a body part. Commonly used with 足首 (ankle), 手首 (wrist), 膝 (knee), etc. Implies a sprain when context is injury.
足首を捻っちゃった。
I twisted my ankle.
バスケで手首を捻った。
I twisted my wrist playing basketball.
Means 'to sprain' or 'to wrench' a joint. Slightly more specific to injury than 捻る. Often used for ankles.
足を挫いたみたい。
I think I sprained my foot.
To specifically refer to a sprained ankle, which is the most common type of sprain.
Noun phrase meaning 'ankle sprain'.
足首の捻挫で歩けません。
I can't walk because of a sprained ankle.
Verb phrase meaning 'to sprain one's ankle'.
階段で足首を捻挫した。
I sprained my ankle on the stairs.
捻挫 (nenza) is the medical term for sprain and can be used in formal situations. 捻る (hineru) means 'to twist' and is used casually to describe the action that caused the sprain. 挫く (kujiku) is similar to 捻る but implies a more severe wrenching. In everyday speech, people often say 足首を捻った (I twisted my ankle) rather than 足首を捻挫した (I sprained my ankle).
骨折 means 'bone fracture'. A sprain is a ligament injury, not a bone break. If you are unsure, say 捻挫か骨折かわからない (I don't know if it's a sprain or a fracture).
捻挫したところを冷やしてください。
Apply ice to the sprain.