Meanings of 伤
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Podcast: 伤
Podcast: 伤
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AI Study Notes for 伤
伤 (shāng) vs 损 (sǔn) — use 伤 for personal injuries or emotional harm, while 损 typically refers to loss or damage in a broader context.
Be careful not to confuse 伤 with other similar-sounding words, such as 商 (shāng) which means 'business.' It is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but the phrase 受伤 (shòu shāng) is a common collocation meaning 'to get injured.'
Although 伤 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to other words related to health and injury, such as 病 (bìng, illness) and 疼 (téng, pain). Students should focus on recognizing it in context.
Learners often confuse 伤 with similar characters; for example, saying 伤病 (shāng bìng) instead of the correct term 受伤 (shòu shāng) for 'to be injured.' Always remember the correct collocations to avoid confusion.
Pronunciation of 伤
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Jason Explains 伤 to You
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Etymology of 伤
Simplified form of 傷. Phonosemantic compound. 亻 and 刀 represent the meaning and 昜 represents the sound.
Origin
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Decomposition of 伤
Parts
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How to say to injure in Chinese
“to injure” in Chinese is伤
The character 伤 (shāng) primarily means 'to injure' or 'to harm,' and can refer to both physical wounds and emotional pain. It is commonly used in medical contexts to describe injuries or in discussions about emotional distress.
When to use 伤
Be careful not to confuse 伤 with other similar-sounding words, such as 商 (shāng) which means 'business.' It is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but the phrase 受伤 (shòu shāng) is a common collocation meaning 'to get injured.'
伤 or something close to it
伤 (shāng) vs 损 (sǔn) — use 伤 for personal injuries or emotional harm, while 损 typically refers to loss or damage in a broader context.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 伤 with similar characters; for example, saying 伤病 (shāng bìng) instead of the correct term 受伤 (shòu shāng) for 'to be injured.' Always remember the correct collocations to avoid confusion.
Write 伤
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Practice writing 伤 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 伤
伤 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
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他是因为摔倒而受伤的。
He got injured because he fell.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
他的情绪有波动，一时高兴一时悲____。
His emotions fluctuate — happy one moment, sad the next.
Common Confusions with 伤
Same pronunciation but different meanings.
伤 refers to the injury itself, while 痛 refers to the pain caused by the injury.
我伤了手，但没有痛。
伤 refers to the injury itself, while 痛 refers to the pain caused by the injury.
Which one
Which one means “to injure”?
Usage Notes for 伤
Learners often forget that 伤 can be both a verb and a noun, but context will clarify its usage.
我有一个伤。
I have an injury.
Get it right
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我有一个____。
I have an injury.
Example Sentences for 伤 (10)
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Cultural Notes for 伤
In traditional Chinese medicine, injuries are often treated with herbal remedies and acupuncture, reflecting a holistic approach to healing. The character 伤 is used not only for physical injuries but also metaphorically for emotional wounds.
伤害别人就是伤害自己 (Harming others is harming oneself). This Chinese proverb emphasizes the interconnectedness of people and the consequences of one's actions.
Word Family of 伤
Words with 伤
What does 伤害 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 伤
伤 (shāng) typically refers to the act of injuring or the concept of injury itself, while 受伤 (shòushāng) specifically means 'to be injured' or 'to sustain an injury'. You would use 伤 to describe the injury, and 受伤 to describe someone who has been hurt.
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