Translation guide
In Japanese, referring to a wounded person depends on the context: whether you're talking about a casualty in an accident or disaster, an injured person in a medical or everyday setting, or a wounded soldier in battle. The most common and neutral term is けが人, but other words carry specific nuances.
To refer to someone who has been physically injured in an accident, disaster, or everyday mishap.
The most common and neutral word for an injured person. Used in news reports, everyday conversation, and formal contexts. It covers a wide range of injuries from minor to serious.
There were injured people in the accident.
I called an ambulance to help the injured person.
A more formal term, often used in official reports, news, or statistics. It emphasizes the fact of being wounded or injured.
The injured people were taken to the hospital.
A technical term used in emergency services, disaster management, and medical contexts. It refers to both injured and sick people collectively.
In a disaster, triage of the injured and sick is carried out.
To refer to someone wounded in battle, combat, or a violent attack, often with a focus on the wound itself.
Specifically a wounded soldier. Used in military contexts or historical accounts.
The wounded soldiers were taken to the field hospital.
Literally 'wounded' and often used for animals (e.g., a wounded beast) or in historical/figurative contexts for a person who is wounded but still dangerous. Can sound archaic or dramatic.
To refer to victims or casualties in a disaster or accident, often including both dead and injured.
Refers to casualties, including both dead and injured. Commonly used in news reports about accidents or disasters.
The earthquake caused many casualties.
Means 'victim' and can refer to anyone harmed by an event (crime, disaster, accident). It doesn't specify injury type but is often used when the focus is on the person as a victim.
けが人 is the everyday word for an injured person and is suitable for most situations. 負傷者 is more formal and often appears in written reports or news. In casual speech, けが人 is preferred.
Direct translations like 傷ついた人 (kizutsuita hito) are grammatically possible but sound unnatural and overly literal. Use the standard terms above instead.
手負いの侍がなおも戦い続けた。
The wounded samurai continued to fight.
事故の被害者はすぐに病院へ運ばれた。
The victims of the accident were quickly taken to the hospital.