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상처나다

A2 verb #7,000 most common 8 min read

상처나다

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 상처나다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 상처나다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn '상처나다' as a simple way to describe a physical 'ouch' or a cut. Focus on the most common usage: '상처났어요' (I got a wound). Imagine you are playing and you fall down. You point to your knee and say '상처났어요'. At this stage, don't worry too much about the complex grammar; just associate the sound 'sang-cheo-na-da' with a physical scratch or a cut. You can use it to tell a teacher or a parent that you need a bandage (밴드). It is a very useful word for basic survival and expressing physical discomfort. Think of it as 'Wound + Happen'. Simple sentences like '팔에 상처났어요' (Wound happened on arm) are perfect for this level.

At the A2 level, you begin to understand the structure of the word. '상처' is the noun (wound) and '나다' is the verb (to occur). You should be able to use the particle '-에' to specify where the wound is, such as '손가락에 상처났어요' (I got a cut on my finger). You also start to see that this word can be used for objects, like a scratch on a phone or a car. This is the level where you distinguish between '상처나다' (the wound happened) and '다치다' (to get hurt in general). You should practice conjugating it into the past tense ('상처났어요') and the negative form ('상처 안 났어요'). You might also use it in simple questions like '어디 상처났어요?' to show concern for others.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '상처나다' in more complex sentence structures, such as using it with connectors like '-아서/어서' (because) or '-(으)니까'. For example: '넘어져서 상처가 났으니까 약을 발라야 해요' (Since I fell and got a wound, I have to apply medicine). You also begin to explore the metaphorical meaning of the word. While '상처받다' is more common for feelings, using '상처나다' to describe a 'wounded heart' in a poetic or dramatic way becomes possible. You should also understand the difference between '상처나다' (intransitive) and '상처를 내다' (transitive/to cause a wound), allowing you to describe who caused the damage.

At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of '상처나다' and its related vocabulary. You can use it to describe not just physical cuts but also societal or psychological 'wounds' in a more abstract sense. You will recognize it in literature and news articles. You should be able to discuss the implications of a '상처'—how it might lead to a '흉터' (scar) or how it needs '치유' (healing). Your grammar should be precise, correctly using the subject marker '가' ('상처가 나다') for emphasis. You can also use the attributive form '상처난' to modify nouns, such as '상처난 자존심' (wounded pride). At this level, you should also be familiar with more formal synonyms like '부상을 입다'.

At the C1 level, your usage of '상처나다' should be indistinguishable from a native speaker's. You understand the subtle emotional weight the word carries in different contexts. You can use it to describe complex scenarios, such as the 'wounds' of history or the 'scars' left on the environment by industrialization ('자연에 상처가 나다'). You are aware of the Hanja roots (傷處) and how they appear in other words like '중상' (serious injury) or '경상' (light injury). You can use '상처나다' in sophisticated rhetorical structures and understand its use in proverbs or idioms. You also know how to use it to describe the 'weathering' or 'damaging' of reputation or honor in a professional or legal context.

At the C2 level, you master the artistic and philosophical applications of '상처나다'. You can analyze how the word is used in contemporary Korean poetry or high-level political discourse to evoke empathy or describe national trauma. You understand the existential nuance of '상처' as a fundamental part of the human condition. You can debate the difference between physical '상처' and psychological '트라우마' (trauma) using '상처나다' as a base for comparison. Your ability to use the word extends to the most formal academic writing and the most nuanced interpersonal communication, where you can use it to describe the delicate 'scratches' in a relationship that might lead to a permanent break.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

상처나다 in 30 Seconds

상처나다 means to get a physical wound, cut, or scratch on the body.
It can also describe scratches or damage to inanimate objects like cars or electronics.
The word is a compound of '상처' (wound) and '나다' (to emerge/occur).
It is also used metaphorically for emotional hurt or damage to reputation.

The Korean verb 상처나다 (sangcheo-nada) is a foundational expression used to describe the occurrence of a physical wound, a cut, a bruise, or even a metaphorical injury to one's feelings. Linguistically, it is a compound verb formed by the noun 상처 (sangcheo), meaning 'wound' or 'injury' (derived from the Hanja 傷處), and the auxiliary verb 나다 (nada), which means 'to emerge,' 'to occur,' or 'to break out.' When combined, they literally translate to 'a wound emerges' or 'an injury occurs.' This is an intransitive verb structure, meaning the subject is usually the wound itself or the body part where the wound appeared, often marked by the particles 이/가.

Physical Context: In everyday life, Koreans use this word to describe minor accidents. If you trip while running and scrape your knee, you would say your knee has '상처났다.' It covers everything from a paper cut to a surgical incision. It specifically emphasizes the visible mark or the physical damage to the skin surface.
Emotional Context: While '상처받다' (to receive a wound) is more common for emotional hurt, '상처나다' can be used metaphorically to describe a heart that has been scarred. It suggests that a traumatic event has left a lasting 'mark' on one's psyche, much like a physical scar.
Object Damage: Interestingly, this verb is also applied to inanimate objects. If your brand-new car gets a scratch, or your expensive smartphone screen is cracked, you can say the object has '상처났다.' This personification of objects is a common feature in the Korean language.

넘어져서 무릎에 상처났어요. (I fell down and got a wound on my knee.)

Understanding the nuances of '상처나다' involves recognizing its frequency in medical, domestic, and social settings. In a hospital, a doctor might ask when the wound appeared using this verb. At home, a parent might check a child's scrape. In a social context, someone might apologize for 'scratching' (damaging) a friend's reputation or belongings. The versatility of this word makes it an essential part of an A2 learner's vocabulary, bridging the gap between basic physical descriptions and more complex abstract expressions.

새 차에 상처나면 속상해요. (It's upsetting if a new car gets a scratch.)

Using 상처나다 correctly requires an understanding of Korean particles and verb conjugation. Because it is an intransitive verb, the 'wound' (상처) acts as the subject that 'emerges' (나다). Therefore, you will most frequently see it paired with the subject marker -가 or simply as a combined unit. The location of the wound is typically marked with the locative particle -에.

Tense Conjugation: In the past tense, it becomes 상처났다 (standard) or 상처났어요 (polite). Since wounds usually happen before we talk about them, the past tense is the most common form. In the future or presumptive, 상처날 거예요 (It will get wounded/scratched) is used when warning someone of a potential risk.
Honorifics: When speaking about an elder's injury, you might use the honorific form 상처나셨어요. However, since the 'wound' itself is the subject, the honorific is often applied to the person experiencing the event rather than the wound, following the 'subject-honorific' rules of Korean grammar.

요리하다가 손가락에 상처가 났어요. (While cooking, I got a cut on my finger.)

In descriptive writing, '상처난' is used as an adjective phrase. For example, '상처난 가슴' (a wounded heart) or '상처난 사과' (a bruised apple). This flexibility allows speakers to describe the state of an object or person vividly. When using it in questions, you might ask, '어디 상처났어요?' (Did you get hurt somewhere? / Where is the wound?), which is a common way to show concern for someone who looks like they've had an accident.

그의 말 때문에 제 마음에 상처가 났어요. (Because of his words, my heart was wounded.)

The word 상처나다 is ubiquitous in Korean society, appearing in various registers from medical environments to casual conversations. You will hear it in pharmacies (약국), hospitals (병원), at home, and even in the workplace. It is a 'safe' word that is neither too formal nor too slangy, making it appropriate for almost any situation where physical or emotional damage is discussed.

In the Pharmacy: When buying ointment (연고), a customer might say, '상처난 데 바르는 약 주세요' (Please give me medicine to apply to a wound). The pharmacist will then assess the '상처' to recommend the right treatment.
In K-Dramas: K-Dramas are famous for emotional scenes. Characters often talk about their '상처난 마음' (wounded heart). You might hear a protagonist say, '너 때문에 내 마음에 상처났어' (My heart was hurt because of you), emphasizing the deep emotional impact of a betrayal or breakup.
Sports and Playgrounds: On the soccer field or at a park, children often fall. Parents and coaches will immediately check by asking, '어디 상처났어?' or '피 나? 상처났네!' (Is there a wound? Oh, you got a wound!). It's the standard way to acknowledge a physical scrape.

얼굴에 상처나지 않게 조심하세요. (Be careful not to get a wound on your face.)

Furthermore, in the context of consumer goods, '상처나다' is used in reviews. If a customer receives a product with a scratch, they will write, '제품에 상처가 나서 왔어요' (The product arrived with a scratch/wound). This usage highlights that the word isn't limited to biological entities but extends to anything that can be physically marred.

While 상처나다 is relatively straightforward, English speakers often make specific errors due to the differences in how 'hurt' and 'wound' are used in English versus Korean. Understanding these pitfalls will help you sound more like a native speaker.

상처나다 vs. 다치다: The most common mistake is using '상처나다' when '다치다' is more appropriate. '다치다' is a general verb meaning 'to get hurt' or 'to be injured.' If you break a bone or have a headache, you don't say '상처나다.' You use '상처나다' specifically when there is a visible break in the skin or a surface scratch. '다치다' is the umbrella term, while '상처나다' is a specific type of injury.
상처 vs. 흉터: Many learners confuse '상처' (active wound) with '흉터' (permanent scar). If the wound has already healed but left a mark, you should use '흉터가 남다' (a scar remains). Saying '상처가 있어요' implies the wound might still be healing or open.
Particle Confusion: Using the object marker '-를' with '상처나다' is a grammatical error because '나다' is intransitive. Incorrect: '무릎을 상처났어요.' Correct: '무릎에 상처가 났어요.' If you want to use '-를', you must use the transitive verb '내다' (to cause/make), as in '상처를 냈어요.'

[Wrong] 배가 상처났어요 (when you have a stomachache).
[Right] 배가 아파요. (My stomach hurts.)

Another subtle mistake is using '상처나다' for large-scale disasters. For major injuries in a car accident, the term '부상(을) 당하다' (to suffer an injury) is more formal and appropriate. '상처나다' sounds a bit too casual or minor for serious medical emergencies.

To enrich your Korean, it is helpful to know words that are similar to 상처나다 but carry different nuances. Depending on the severity, the cause, or the formality of the situation, you might choose a different term.

다치다 (Dachida): The most common alternative. It means 'to get hurt' in any way. It is more general than '상처나다'. If you fall and your leg hurts but there's no blood, you say '다쳤어요'.
부상을 입다/당하다 (Busang-eul ipda/danghada): This is a formal/academic term used in news reports or sports. It translates to 'to sustain an injury.' You would hear this on the news: '선수가 경기 중 부상을 당했습니다' (The player sustained an injury during the game).
까이다 (Kkaida): A more colloquial, almost slang-like way to say you got a scrape, often from being hit or kicked. '무릎이 까졌어요' is very common when talking about skin being scraped off.
상처받다 (Sangcheo-batda): Specifically for emotional hurt. While '상처나다' can be used metaphorically, '상처받다' is the standard way to say 'my feelings were hurt'.

Comparison:
1. 손에 상처났어요 (Visible cut)
2. 손을 다쳤어요 (Hurt hand, maybe a sprain)
3. 마음에 상처받았어요 (Feelings are hurt)

By mastering these alternatives, you can communicate more precisely. For instance, using '부상' in a professional email about why you can't come to work sounds much better than using the more 'child-like' sounding '상처나다' if the injury is serious.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The verb '나다' is one of the most versatile in Korean, appearing in hundreds of expressions like '고장나다' (to break down) and '소문나다' (to be rumored). It always implies something 'coming out' or 'becoming manifest'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /sʰaŋt͡ɕʰʌ̹na̠da̠/

US /sʰaŋt͡ɕʰʌ̹na̠da̠/

In Korean, stress is generally equal across syllables, but there is a slight pitch rise on the first or second syllable depending on the speaker's dialect.

Rhymes With

사고나다 (sago-nada) 고장나다 (gojang-nada) 기억나다 (gieok-nada) 생각나다 (saenggak-nada) 소문나다 (somun-nada) 화나다 (hwa-nada) 땀나다 (ttam-nada) 열나다 (yeol-nada)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '상처' as 'sang-cho'. It should be 'eo', not 'o'.
Pronouncing '나다' with a long 'a' like 'father'. It is a shorter, clearer 'a'.
Mixing up the 'ch' sound in '처' with a 'j' sound.
Adding a stress accent on the last syllable like 'na-DA'.
Failing to aspirate the 'ch' (ㅊ) in '상처'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The Hanja characters are common, and the structure is simple.

Writing 3/5

Remembering to use the correct particles (에, 가) is key.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers.

Listening 2/5

Commonly heard in dramas and daily life.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

나다 손 발 아프다 피

Learn Next

다치다 흉터 연고 치료 수술

Advanced

부상 외상 치유 트라우마 후유증

Grammar to Know

Intransitive Verb Usage

상처가 나다 (The wound occurs) vs 상처를 내다 (To cause a wound).

Locative Particle -에

팔에 상처가 났다. (A wound occurred ON the arm.)

Reason Connector -아서/어서

넘어져서 상처났어요. (I fell, so I got a wound.)

Attributive Ending -ㄴ/은

상처난 손가락 (The wounded finger).

Negative '안'

다행히 상처 안 났어요. (Fortunately, I didn't get a wound.)

Examples by Level

무릎에 상처났어요.

I got a wound on my knee.

Simple past tense of 상처나다.

손에 상처났어요?

Did you get a wound on your hand?

Question form with rising intonation.

여기에 상처났어요.

I got a wound here.

Using '여기' (here) as the location.

상처났어요. 아파요.

I got a wound. It hurts.

Two simple sentences combined.

피 나요. 상처났어요.

It's bleeding. I got a wound.

Describing the result of the wound.

상처 안 났어요.

I didn't get a wound.

Negative form using '안'.

동생이 상처났어요.

My younger sibling got a wound.

Subject marker '이' used with '동생'.

발에 상처났어요.

I got a wound on my foot.

Locative particle '에' used with '발'.

넘어져서 상처가 났어요.

I fell down and got a wound.

-아서/어서 connector showing cause.

종이에 베여서 상처났어요.

I got a cut from a paper, so I got a wound.

Explaining the cause of the wound.

휴대폰에 상처났어요.

My phone got a scratch.

Using the word for an inanimate object.

어디에 상처났어요?

Where did you get a wound?

Question word '어디' (where).

상처난 곳에 약을 발라요.

Apply medicine to the wounded area.

Attributive form '상처난' modifying '곳' (place).

상처가 나지 않게 조심해.

Be careful not to get a wound.

-지 않게 (so that... not) structure.

고양이가 할퀴어서 상처났어요.

The cat scratched me, so I got a wound.

Identifying the agent of the action.

얼굴에 상처나면 안 돼요.

You shouldn't get a wound on your face.

-면 안 되다 (should not) structure.

상처가 나면 바로 소독해야 해요.

If a wound occurs, you must disinfect it immediately.

-면 (if) conditional structure.

새로 산 가방에 상처가 나서 속상해요.

I'm upset because my new bag got a scratch.

Expressing emotion related to the event.

마음에 상처가 나는 말을 들었어요.

I heard words that wounded my heart.

Metaphorical usage for emotional hurt.

상처난 사과는 빨리 먹어야 해요.

You should eat bruised apples quickly.

Using the word for fruit damage.

운동하다가 다리에 큰 상처가 났어요.

While exercising, I got a big wound on my leg.

-다가 (while) showing interruption.

상처가 날까 봐 걱정돼요.

I'm worried that a wound might occur.

-ㄹ까 봐 (worried that) structure.

상처가 났던 자리에 흉터가 생겼어요.

A scar formed where the wound used to be.

-았던/었던 (past retrospective) modifier.

신발이 작아서 뒤꿈치에 상처났어요.

The shoes were small, so I got a wound on my heel.

Explaining the cause (tight shoes).

무리한 운동은 근육에 상처를 낼 수 있습니다.

Excessive exercise can cause wounds (micro-tears) in the muscles.

Transitive form '상처를 내다' used for scientific explanation.

그 사건은 그의 명예에 큰 상처를 냈어요.

That incident caused a great wound to his reputation.

Abstract usage: reputation damage.

상처난 가슴을 달래줄 사람이 필요해요.

I need someone to comfort my wounded heart.

Poetic use of '상처난 가슴'.

코팅이 벗겨지면 냄비에 상처나기 쉬워요.

If the coating comes off, the pot is easy to scratch.

-기 쉽다 (easy to) structure.

상처가 난 부위를 깨끗한 물로 씻으세요.

Wash the wounded area with clean water.

Formal medical instruction.

유리 조각 때문에 발바닥에 상처가 깊게 났어요.

Because of the glass shards, the wound on the sole of the foot is deep.

Adverb '깊게' (deeply) modifying the verb.

상처가 나지 않도록 테이프를 붙였습니다.

I applied tape so that a wound wouldn't occur.

-지 않도록 (so that... not) purpose clause.

그녀의 차가운 태도에 마음에 상처가 났나 봐요.

It seems like his heart was wounded by her cold attitude.

-나 보다 (it seems that) conjecture.

전쟁은 국가의 역사에 지울 수 없는 상처를 냈습니다.

The war left an indelible wound on the nation's history.

High-level historical/political context.

개발로 인해 자연 경관에 상처가 나기 시작했습니다.

Due to development, wounds began to appear in the natural landscape.

Environmental personification.

상처난 자존심을 회복하는 데 시간이 오래 걸렸어요.

It took a long time to recover my wounded pride.

Abstract noun '자존심' (pride).

부주의한 말 한마디가 상대방에게 평생의 상처가 날 수도 있습니다.

A single careless word can cause a lifelong wound to the other person.

Emphasizing the long-term impact.

경제 위기로 인해 서민들의 삶에 깊은 상처가 났습니다.

The economic crisis caused deep wounds in the lives of ordinary people.

Societal context usage.

상처가 나고 아무는 과정이 인생의 일부입니다.

The process of getting wounded and healing is part of life.

Philosophical reflection.

그의 비판은 정당했지만, 방식은 조직에 상처를 냈습니다.

His criticism was justified, but the method wounded the organization.

Organizational/professional context.

피부에 상처가 나면 흉터가 남지 않게 관리하는 것이 중요합니다.

When a wound occurs on the skin, it's important to manage it so no scar remains.

Complex sentence with nominalization.

인간의 욕망은 지구라는 거대한 유기체에 깊은 상처를 내고 있다.

Human desire is inflicting deep wounds on the giant organism called Earth.

Advanced metaphorical personification.

예술은 우리 영혼에 난 상처를 치유하는 도구이다.

Art is a tool for healing the wounds in our souls.

Philosophical/Aesthetic context.

과거의 상처가 난 기억들이 현재의 나를 규정하기도 한다.

Memories wounded by the past sometimes define who I am today.

Psychological depth.

권력의 남용은 민주주의의 근간에 상처를 내는 행위입니다.

Abuse of power is an act that wounds the foundations of democracy.

Political science terminology.

상처난 진실을 마주하는 것은 고통스럽지만 필요한 과정입니다.

Facing the wounded truth is painful but a necessary process.

Abstract philosophical concept.

문학은 시대의 상처난 구석구석을 조명하는 역할을 한다.

Literature plays the role of illuminating every wounded corner of an era.

Literary criticism register.

그들의 관계는 이미 상처가 날 대로 나서 회복이 불가능해 보였다.

Their relationship was already so wounded that recovery seemed impossible.

Idiomatic '날 대로 나서' (as much as it could).

상처가 나기 전의 상태로 되돌리는 것은 물리적으로 불가능하다.

Returning to the state before the wound occurred is physically impossible.

Scientific/Logical assertion.

Common Collocations

깊게 상처나다

무릎에 상처나다

얼굴에 상처나다

마음에 상처나다

살짝 상처나다

흉터 없이 상처나다

차에 상처나다

손톱에 상처나다

상처가 크게 나다

상처가 자주 나다

Common Phrases

상처날 뻔하다

— To almost get a wound. Used when a narrow escape happens.

칼을 놓쳐서 상처날 뻔했어요.

상처가 덧나다

— For a wound to get worse or infected.

상처가 덧나지 않게 소독하세요.

상처를 씻다

— To wash a wound. Basic first aid step.

흐르는 물에 상처를 씻으세요.

상처가 아물다

— For a wound to heal/close. The natural recovery process.

상처가 깨끗하게 아물었어요.

상처를 주다

— To give/cause a wound. Often used for emotional hurt.

남에게 상처를 주는 말은 하지 마세요.

상처가 깊다

— The wound is deep. Can be physical or emotional.

마음의 상처가 깊어 보여요.

상처투성이가 되다

— To be covered in wounds/scratches.

산에서 굴러서 상처투성이가 됐어요.

상처를 치료하다

— To treat a wound. Medical action.

병원에서 상처를 치료받았습니다.

상처가 남다

— A wound remains (usually as a scar).

어릴 때 다친 상처가 아직 남아 있어요.

상처를 숨기다

— To hide a wound. Often metaphorical.

그는 자신의 마음속 상처를 숨겼다.

Often Confused With

상처나다 vs 다치다

다치다 is general. 상처나다 is for surface marks/cuts.

상처나다 vs 상처받다

상처받다 is passive (receiving emotional hurt). 상처나다 is the occurrence of the wound.

상처나다 vs 흉터

흉터 is the permanent scar left after the 상처 heals.

Idioms & Expressions

"상처 난 데 소금 뿌리다"

— To pour salt on a wound. To make a bad situation worse for someone.

실패한 사람에게 비난하는 것은 상처 난 데 소금 뿌리는 격이다.

Colloquial

"마음에 대못을 박다"

— To drive a large nail into the heart. To cause a deep, permanent emotional wound.

부모님 마음에 대못을 박으면 안 된다.

Common

"상처뿐인 영광"

— A hollow victory. A win that caused so much damage it wasn't worth it.

그 경기는 이겼지만 주전들이 다 다쳐서 상처뿐인 영광이었다.

Literary/Media

"피눈물이 나다"

— To cry tears of blood. To feel a wound so deep it causes extreme sorrow.

억울한 일을 당해 피눈물이 났다.

Emphatic

"가슴에 칼을 꽂다"

— To stab someone in the chest. To betray someone and cause a deep wound.

친구의 배신은 내 가슴에 칼을 꽂는 일이었다.

Dramatic

"입술이 없으면 이가 시리다"

— If the lips are gone, the teeth get cold. If a close neighbor is wounded, you suffer too.

이웃 나라의 경제 위기는 우리에게도 상처가 된다.

Proverb

"헌 데 또 나다"

— To get a wound where there was already a sore. Misfortunes never come singly.

병이 낫기도 전에 사고가 나니 헌 데 또 난 격이다.

Old-fashioned

"아픈 곳을 찌르다"

— To poke a sore spot. To mention something that wounds someone's pride/feelings.

그는 내 아픈 곳을 정확히 찔렀다.

Neutral

"생채기를 내다"

— To make a small scratch/wound. Often used for minor emotional slights.

작은 오해가 자존심에 생채기를 냈다.

Poetic

"속을 긁다"

— To scratch the inside. To irritate someone and cause emotional wounds.

그의 빈정거리는 말투가 내 속을 긁었다.

Informal

Easily Confused

상처나다 vs 기스 (Giseu)

Often used for scratches on objects.

기스 is from the Japanese 'kizu'. 상처나다 is the proper Korean term.

차에 기스 났어 (Slang) vs 차에 상처가 났어요 (Standard).

상처나다 vs 부상 (Busang)

Both mean injury.

부상 is formal/severe. 상처나다 is informal/minor.

선수가 부상을 입었다 (News) vs 손에 상처났어 (Casual).

상처나다 vs 까이다 (Kkaida)

Both refer to skin injuries.

까이다 is specifically for 'skinned' or 'scraped' skin. 상처나다 is broader.

무릎이 까졌어 (Scraped) vs 무릎에 상처났어 (General wound).

상처나다 vs 베이다 (Beida)

Both involve cuts.

베이다 is the action of being cut by something sharp. 상처나다 is the resulting state.

칼에 베여서 상처났어요.

상처나다 vs 긁히다 (Geulkhida)

Both involve marks.

긁히다 is the passive 'to be scratched'. 상처나다 is the appearance of the wound.

나무에 긁혀서 상처났어요.

Sentence Patterns

[Body Part]에 상처났어요.

다리에 상처났어요.

[Cause] 때문에 상처났어요.

고양이 때문에 상처났어요.

[Object]에 상처가 나서 [Emotion].

차에 상처가 나서 속상해요.

상처가 나지 않게 [Action].

상처가 나지 않게 조심하세요.

상처난 [Noun]을/를 [Action].

상처난 부위를 소독하세요.

[Abstract Noun]에 상처를 내다.

자존심에 상처를 냈습니다.

상처가 날 대로 나다.

관계가 상처가 날 대로 났어요.

상처가 나고 아물다.

상처가 나고 아무는 것은 자연스러운 일이다.

Word Family

Nouns

상처 (wound)

부상 (injury)

흉터 (scar)

외상 (external wound)

Verbs

상처입다 (to be wounded)

상처받다 (to have feelings hurt)

상처내다 (to cause a wound)

다치다 (to get hurt)

Adjectives

상처투성이인 (covered in wounds)

상처받기 쉬운 (vulnerable/fragile)

연고 (ointment)

밴드 (bandage)

소독 (disinfection)

병원 (hospital)

치료 (treatment)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely common in daily conversation and medical contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using '상처나다' for an internal pain like a stomachache. → 배가 아파요.
상처나다 requires a surface injury.
Using the object marker: '손가락을 상처났어요.' → 손가락에 상처가 났어요.
나다 is intransitive; the body part is a location (-에).
Confusing '상처' with '흉터' when describing an old scar. → 흉터가 있어요.
상처 is for a new/active wound.
Using '상처나다' for a broken leg. → 다리가 부러졌어요.
Breaking a bone is not a '상처' (surface wound).
Saying '상처를 났다' instead of '상처가 났다'. → 상처가 났다.
The particle '-가' is required for the subject of '나다'.

Tips

Subject Marker

Always use '가' with '상처' when using the verb '나다'. '상처가 났다' is the grammatically correct way to say a wound appeared.

Object Scratches

Don't be afraid to use this for your phone, car, or furniture. It's the most natural way to describe surface damage.

Severity

For very deep or surgical wounds, doctors might use '절개창' or '외상', but they will still understand '상처' perfectly.

Hanja Roots

Remembering that '상' (Sang) means 'injury' will help you learn other words like '상해' (assault/injury) or '부상' (injury).

Scar Prevention

In Korea, people are very proactive about '상처' to prevent '흉터'. Mentioning this shows you understand Korean culture.

Showing Concern

Asking '상처났어요?' is a great way to show you care when you see someone trip or handle something sharp.

Adjective Form

Use '상처난' to describe things, like '상처난 마음' (wounded heart) or '상처난 과일' (bruised fruit).

Context Clues

If you hear '상처' in a drama without any physical accident, it's almost always about emotional pain.

Verb '나다'

Think of '나다' as 'to sprout'. A wound 'sprouts' on the skin. This helps visualize the word.

Daily Practice

Check your own skin for small scratches and say '여기에 상처났네' to yourself.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Sang' (like 'Sank' - your skin sank in) + 'Cheo' (like 'Chop' - you got chopped) + 'Nada' (like 'Nada' - now you have 'nada' smooth skin left).

Visual Association

Imagine a bright red scratch appearing on a clean white surface. The moment it 'appears' is '나다', and the scratch itself is '상처'.

Word Web

피 (blood) 아프다 (pain) 병원 (hospital) 연고 (ointment) 흉터 (scar) 사고 (accident) 칼 (knife) 마음 (heart)

Challenge

Try to find three things in your house that have a '상처' (scratch/dent). Point to them and say '[Object]에 상처났어요' out loud.

Word Origin

The word is a native Korean combination of a Sino-Korean noun '상처' and a native Korean verb '나다'. '상처' comes from the Hanja 傷 (sang - to wound/hurt) and 處 (cheo - place). Thus, it literally means 'the place of the wound'.

Original meaning: A specific location on the body that has been damaged or hurt.

Koreanic (with Sinitic influence).

Cultural Context

When discussing '상처' in an emotional context, be careful not to dismiss someone's feelings, as the word implies a genuine and painful mark.

In English, we often say 'I got a cut' or 'I scratched my car.' We use different verbs for different things. In Korean, '상처나다' covers almost all surface damage.

The K-Drama 'It's Okay to Not Be Okay' focuses heavily on healing '마음의 상처' (wounds of the heart). Many K-Pop lyrics use '상처' to describe the pain of a breakup. Korean folk tales often involve magical ointments that heal any '상처' instantly.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Domestic Accidents

칼에 베였어요
데였어요
상처났어요
피나요

Car/Object Care

기스 났어요
상처났어요
긁혔어요
수리해야 해요

Emotional Talk

마음이 아파요
상처받았어요
상처가 났어요
속상해요

Sports

넘어졌어요
상처났어요
다쳤어요
괜찮아요

Medical/Pharmacy

상처났는데 약 주세요
소독해 주세요
밴드 주세요
연고 발라주세요

Conversation Starters

"어머, 팔에 상처났네요? 어쩌다가 그랬어요?"

"새로 산 노트북에 상처나면 정말 기분 안 좋죠?"

"아이들이 놀다가 상처나면 어떻게 치료하세요?"

"마음에 상처가 났을 때 어떤 음악을 들으세요?"

"요리하다가 상처난 적 있어요?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 몸이나 물건에 상처가 난 일이 있었나요? 어떻게 대처했는지 써 보세요.

어릴 때 넘어져서 무릎에 상처가 났던 기억이 있나요?

누군가의 말 때문에 마음에 상처가 났던 경험을 적어 보세요.

상처가 나지 않도록 조심해야 하는 상황들에 대해 써 보세요.

상처를 치유하는 가장 좋은 방법은 무엇이라고 생각하나요?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, for a broken bone you should use '뼈가 부러지다' or the general '다치다'. '상처나다' is for surface wounds.

Yes, it is very common to say '차에 상처났어요' for a scratch on a vehicle.

상처나다 is the occurrence of a wound (physical or metaphorical), while 상처받다 is specifically 'to receive' emotional hurt from someone.

You should say '흉터가 있어요'. '상처' refers to the active wound.

No, for a headache use '머리가 아파요'. '상처나다' requires a physical mark or cut.

It is '상처가 났다'. '나다' is intransitive and takes the subject marker '-가'.

'어디 상처났어?' or '상처 안 났네, 다행이다!' are good phrases.

'기스' is very common but it's a loanword. '상처' or '흠집' are the correct Korean words.

Yes, if a leaf is torn or a stem is scratched, you can say '식물에 상처났어요'.

Not necessarily. A bruise or a dry scratch is also a '상처'.