扭伤 (niǔ shāng) — sprain

Definition

A verb meaning 'to sprain' (a joint) and also the noun for the injury itself — usually used with 处 as a measure word. Refers specifically to ligament/joint sprains, not breaks or bruises.

sprain
Measure word · 处

Examples

  • 扭伤。
    Tā dǎ lán qiú shí niǔ shāng le shǒu wàn.
    He sprained his wrist playing basketball.
  • 扭伤，。
    Yī shēng shuō wǒ zhè shì qīng wēi niǔ shāng, xiū xi jǐ tiān jiù hǎo.
    The doctor said I have a mild sprain and it'll be fine after a few days of rest.
  • 扭伤。
    Zǒu lù bù xiǎo xīn niǔ shāng le jiǎo huái.
    I sprained my ankle walking carelessly.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

扭niǔtwist
伤shānginjure

“扭” (twist) plus “伤” (injure) names an injury from twisting.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
手手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
丑
丑chǒu扭niǔ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

扭 has 手 (hand) beside 丑. The 手 part shows that the meaning involves a hand action, and 丑 gives the sound.

Open 扭 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 傷; 伤 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
人人rén
Sound part声符shēngfú
𥏻
𥏻𥏻傷shāng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 傷 shows 人, a person, and uses 𥏻 to give the sound; the simplified 伤 is a later shorthand.

Open 伤 →

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