Translation guide
The English word 'wound' refers to a physical injury, especially one where the skin is broken. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 傷 (kizu), but the best translation depends on the type, severity, and context. This guide covers physical wounds, emotional wounds, and related expressions.
To refer to a cut, scrape, or other break in the skin, from minor to serious.
The most common and versatile word for a wound, injury, or cut. Can be used for anything from a paper cut to a deep gash.
I fell and got a wound on my knee.
その傷は深くない。
The wound isn't deep.
Refers to an injury in general, often used for accidents. Can include wounds but also sprains, fractures, etc. More about the state of being injured.
事故で大けがをした。
I was seriously wounded in the accident.
Specifically a cut or incised wound. Used when the cause is a sharp object.
ナイフで切り傷ができた。
I got a cut from a knife.
To express emotional pain, trauma, or a deep hurt.
Literally 'heart wound'. The standard way to say emotional wound or trauma.
その言葉は彼女に深い心の傷を残した。
Those words left a deep emotional wound on her.
Loanword from English 'trauma'. Commonly used for psychological trauma.
その経験はトラウマになった。
That experience became a trauma.
To describe the act of causing a wound, physically or emotionally.
Transitive verb meaning to wound or hurt someone, physically or emotionally.
彼はナイフで私を傷つけた。
He wounded me with a knife.
その言葉は彼女を傷つけた。
Those words wounded her.
Intransitive verb meaning to be wounded or hurt. Often used for emotional hurt.
To describe the state of being wounded, often used in passive or descriptive contexts.
A formal or literary expression meaning 'to sustain a wound'. Often used in news or serious contexts.
彼は戦争で傷を負った。
He was wounded in the war.
A more formal verb meaning 'to be injured/wounded'. Common in reports.
その事故で3人が負傷した。
Three people were wounded in the accident.
傷 (kizu) specifically refers to a visible wound or cut on the skin, or metaphorically an emotional scar. けが (kega) is a broader term for injury, including internal injuries, fractures, etc. Use 傷 for cuts and wounds, けが for general injuries.
The English word 'wound' can be the past tense of 'wind' (e.g., 'I wound the clock'). This is completely unrelated to injury. In Japanese, 'wind' is 巻く (maku), and its past tense is 巻いた (maita). Do not confuse these.
彼の言葉に傷ついた。
I was wounded by his words.