noun
serious wound; severe injury
Physical injury that is deep or life-threatening. Often used in dramatic or news contexts.
彼は戦場で痛手を負った。
He suffered a serious wound on the battlefield.
noun
hard blow; heavy damage; severe setback
Metaphorical use for emotional, financial, or organizational damage. Common in business and sports reporting.
The loss of a key player is a huge blow to the team.
その不祥事で会社の信用に痛手を負った。
The scandal dealt a severe blow to the company's reputation.
打撃 is a more general word for 'blow' or 'impact', often used in economic or psychological contexts. 痛手 emphasizes the severity of the damage or pain, and can also refer to physical wounds.
傷 is a common word for 'wound' or 'injury', both physical and emotional. 痛手 implies a more serious or critical wound, often with lasting consequences.
Compound of 痛 (ita, 'painful') and 手 (te, 'hand'), with rendaku voicing. Originally referred to a wound on the hand, then generalized to any serious injury or blow.