Lesionar describes the act of causing physical damage or injury to a living being.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Refers to causing physical harm or bodily injury.
- Commonly used in medical and sports contexts.
- Often used reflexively as 'lesionarse' for self-inflicted injury.
Overview
El verbo 'lesionar' es un término preciso que denota la acción de causar un menoscabo en la salud física. A diferencia de verbos más generales como 'dañar' o 'herir', 'lesionar' tiene una connotación clínica y técnica, siendo muy común en partes médicos o informes de accidentes. 2) Usage Patterns: Se conjuga como un verbo regular de la primera conjugación (-ar). Es común utilizarlo en voz pasiva o reflexiva ('lesionarse') cuando el sujeto sufre el daño por sí mismo, especialmente en deportes. 3) Common Contexts: En el ámbito deportivo, es habitual escuchar que un jugador se ha lesionado durante un entrenamiento. En el ámbito legal, se usa para describir agresiones que resultan en daños corporales. En contextos médicos, se emplea para describir el impacto de una enfermedad o trauma en un órgano o tejido específico. 4) Similar Words Comparison: 'Herir' suele implicar una ruptura de la piel o un corte visible, mientras que 'lesionar' es un término más amplio que puede incluir daños internos, musculares o articulares. 'Dañar' es un término genérico que puede aplicarse a objetos inanimados, mientras que 'lesionar' se restringe casi exclusivamente a seres vivos.
Examples
El atleta se lesionó el tobillo en la carrera.
everydayThe athlete injured his ankle during the race.
La empresa no quiso lesionar los intereses de sus empleados.
formalThe company did not want to harm the interests of its employees.
¡Cuidado, no te vayas a lesionar!
informalBe careful, don't go hurting yourself!
El estudio analiza cómo la radiación puede lesionar el tejido celular.
academicThe study analyzes how radiation can damage cellular tissue.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
lesionarse de gravedad
to be severely injured
parte médico de lesiones
medical injury report
evitar lesiones
to avoid injuries
Often Confused With
Herir often implies a puncture, cut, or visible wound. Lesionar is broader and often refers to internal or functional damage.
Dañar is a general term for causing harm to anything, including objects. Lesionar is strictly for the physical health of living beings.
Grammar Patterns
Usage Notes
Lesionar is a standard term used in both formal and neutral registers. It is highly frequent in news, medicine, and sports reporting. Avoid using it in casual conversation if you just mean 'to hurt' (lastimar is more common there).
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using 'lesionar' for inanimate objects like a broken phone. Another error is confusing it with 'dañar' in contexts where physical integrity is not the main focus. Remember that 'lesionar' requires a living subject or object.
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'lesion' in English. If you have a lesion, you have been 'lesionado'.
Word Origin
The word comes from the Latin 'laesio', which means 'to hurt' or 'to injure'. It has maintained this medical and formal connotation throughout its evolution in Spanish.
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking sports culture, the term is iconic. Hearing a commentator say 'se ha lesionado' is a standard part of watching professional soccer or basketball matches.
Focus on the reflexive form
Use 'lesionarse' when talking about your own injuries. It is the most natural way to express that you hurt yourself during an activity.
Avoid using with inanimate objects
Never use 'lesionar' for broken furniture or damaged cars. Stick to 'dañar' for non-living things to sound natural.
Sports culture usage
In Spanish-speaking countries, sports news frequently uses 'lesionar' to report on player status. It is a standard term in football and athletic reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsLesionar es un término más clínico que abarca daños internos, musculares o articulares. Herir suele referirse a daños externos visibles como cortes o laceraciones.
No, lesionar se utiliza exclusivamente para seres vivos. Para objetos, se debe usar 'dañar', 'estropear' o 'deteriorar'.
Sí, es una forma muy común y correcta de indicar que has sufrido un daño físico en esa parte específica del cuerpo.
La lesión es el sustantivo derivado del verbo lesionar. Se refiere al daño o alteración física que se ha producido en el cuerpo.
Test Yourself
Completa la frase con la forma correcta del verbo:
El jugador se ___ la pierna durante el entrenamiento.
Al tratarse de una parte del cuerpo en contexto deportivo, 'lesionó' es la opción más precisa.
Elige la opción que mejor define 'lesionar':
Selecciona el significado correcto:
Lesionar se limita específicamente a daños corporales en seres vivos.
Ordena las palabras para formar una oración:
la / se / espalda / ella / lesionó
Esta es la estructura gramatical correcta para el uso reflexivo del verbo.
🎉 Score: /3
Summary
Lesionar describes the act of causing physical damage or injury to a living being.
- Refers to causing physical harm or bodily injury.
- Commonly used in medical and sports contexts.
- Often used reflexively as 'lesionarse' for self-inflicted injury.
Focus on the reflexive form
Use 'lesionarse' when talking about your own injuries. It is the most natural way to express that you hurt yourself during an activity.
Avoid using with inanimate objects
Never use 'lesionar' for broken furniture or damaged cars. Stick to 'dañar' for non-living things to sound natural.
Sports culture usage
In Spanish-speaking countries, sports news frequently uses 'lesionar' to report on player status. It is a standard term in football and athletic reporting.
Examples
4 of 4El atleta se lesionó el tobillo en la carrera.
The athlete injured his ankle during the race.
La empresa no quiso lesionar los intereses de sus empleados.
The company did not want to harm the interests of its employees.
¡Cuidado, no te vayas a lesionar!
Be careful, don't go hurting yourself!
El estudio analiza cómo la radiación puede lesionar el tejido celular.
The study analyzes how radiation can damage cellular tissue.
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