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A2 verb #6,500 most common 9 min read

扭伤

niǔshāng Top 6,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 扭伤 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 扭伤 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 扭伤 (niǔshāng) means 'to sprain' or 'to twist' a part of your body, usually resulting in pain. You can think of it as two parts: '扭' (twist) and '伤' (hurt). If you are walking and your foot suddenly hurts because it turned the wrong way, you can say '我扭伤了' (I sprained [it]). At this level, don't worry about complex grammar. Just remember the simple pattern: [Body Part] + 疼 (téng) usually follows a 扭伤. For example, if you sprain your foot, you say '我扭伤了脚，很疼' (I sprained my foot, it hurts a lot). This is a very useful word if you need to explain to a teacher or a friend why you cannot walk fast or why you need to sit down. Focus on the most common body parts used with this word: 脚 (jiǎo - foot), 手 (shǒu - hand), and 腰 (yāo - waist/back). If you see someone limping, you might ask '你扭伤了吗？' (Did you sprain [something]?). It's a basic survival word for physical health.

At the A2 level, you should start using 扭伤 (niǔshāng) in more complete sentences that describe how the injury happened. You should be familiar with the structure Subject + 不小心 (bù xiǎoxīn - accidentally) + 扭伤了 + Body Part. For example, '我不小心扭伤了手腕' (I accidentally sprained my wrist). You should also recognize the difference between '扭' (the action of twisting) and '扭伤' (the injury resulting from the twist). At this level, you might also use it to describe sports activities, such as '跑步的时候扭伤了' (sprained [it] while running). It's important to know that '了' (le) is almost always used because the sprain is an event that has already occurred. You should also be able to understand basic advice related to a sprain, such as '去医院看看' (go to the hospital to have a look) or '休息一下' (rest a bit). This word helps you move beyond basic 'pain' (疼) to describing a specific type of medical situation.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use 扭伤 (niǔshāng) to discuss recovery, severity, and prevention. You should be able to use degree complements to describe the injury, such as '扭伤得非常严重' (sprained very seriously) or '扭伤得不太厉害' (not sprained too badly). You can also start using the word as a noun in phrases like '这次扭伤需要很久才能好' (This sprain will take a long time to heal). You should be able to compare 扭伤 with related words like '拉伤' (strain) and '骨折' (fracture) in a conversation about health. For instance, you might explain to a doctor: '我觉得不是骨折，只是扭伤' (I don't think it's a fracture, just a sprain). You should also be comfortable using temporal markers to describe the duration of the injury, such as '扭伤了一个星期了' (It's been sprained for a week). This level requires you to integrate the word into broader discussions about physical activity and medical care.

At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 扭伤 (niǔshāng) and be able to use it in professional or semi-professional contexts, such as describing a workplace accident or a sports injury in detail. You should be familiar with the passive '被' (bèi) construction, even if it's less common: '他的脚踝在比赛中被扭伤了' (His ankle was sprained during the match). You should also be able to discuss the physiological aspects of a sprain using more advanced vocabulary, such as '韧带' (rèndài - ligament). For example, '扭伤通常会导致韧带拉伸或撕裂' (A sprain usually leads to the stretching or tearing of ligaments). You can use the word in more complex sentence structures involving cause and effect, like '由于没有做好热身运动，他不幸扭伤了膝盖' (Because he didn't do proper warm-up exercises, he unfortunately sprained his knee). At this stage, your use of the word should be precise and contextually appropriate, moving into the realm of formal reporting and detailed health discussions.

At the C1 level, you should be able to use 扭伤 (niǔshāng) with total fluency, including in metaphorical or highly technical contexts. While 扭伤 is primarily physical, you might encounter it in creative writing to describe a 'twisted' or 'distorted' situation, though this is rare. More importantly, you should be able to discuss the long-term implications of a 扭伤, such as '习惯性扭伤' (habitual/chronic spraining). You should also be able to understand and use medical jargon associated with it in a professional setting, such as '软组织扭伤' (soft tissue sprain). You can discuss the nuances between 扭伤 and other similar terms like '挫伤' (contusion) or '韧带损伤' (ligament damage) with ease. Your ability to use the word should extend to writing formal medical reports or insurance claims where the exact nature of the injury must be clearly articulated. You should also be aware of regional variations and colloquialisms like '崴' (wǎi) and know when to switch between them based on your audience.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 扭伤 (niǔshāng) is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You understand the word's etymology and its place within the broader system of Chinese medical and anatomical terminology. You can use it in high-level academic discussions about kinesiology, sports medicine, or physical therapy. You are also capable of using the word in sophisticated literary contexts where the physical act of twisting and injuring might be used as a motif for a character's struggle or a plot's 'twist.' You understand the subtle differences in register between 扭伤 and more archaic or specialized terms. Furthermore, you can effortlessly navigate conversations with medical professionals, discussing '关节囊扭伤' (joint capsule sprain) or '三度扭伤' (third-degree sprain) without hesitation. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a precise tool used to convey exact physical states and medical conditions within a complex linguistic framework.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

扭伤 in 30 Seconds

扭伤 (niǔshāng) means 'to sprain' or 'a sprain,' combining 'twist' and 'injury.'
It is primarily used for joints like ankles, wrists, knees, and the lower back.
Commonly used with '了' (le) to indicate the injury has already happened.
Distinguished from '拉伤' (muscle strain) and '骨折' (bone fracture).

The word 扭伤 (niǔshāng) is a compound verb-noun in Chinese that specifically refers to the physical injury of a sprain or a twist. To understand this word deeply, we must look at its two constituent characters: 扭 (niǔ), which means to twist, wring, or turn, and 伤 (shāng), which means wound, injury, or to hurt. When combined, they describe the act of twisting a joint in a way that causes injury to the ligaments, but not necessarily a break in the bone.

Physical Action: The primary use of 扭伤 is to describe accidental injuries during physical activity. Whether you are running, dancing, or simply walking down a flight of stairs, any sudden misalignment of a joint can be described using this term.
Medical Context: In a clinical setting, a doctor will use 扭伤 to diagnose soft tissue damage. It is distinct from a fracture (骨折) or a simple bruise (青紫), focusing specifically on the wrenching of the joint.

You will encounter this word most frequently in sports contexts. Athletes often discuss their recovery from a 脚踝扭伤 (ankle sprain) or a 手腕扭伤 (wrist sprain). It is a word that conveys both the cause (the twist) and the result (the injury) simultaneously, making it highly efficient in conversation.

他在踢足球时不小心扭伤了膝盖。(He accidentally sprained his knee while playing soccer.)

Culturally, 扭伤 is a common topic in daily Chinese life because of the emphasis on physical health and the prevalence of walking and public exercise in Chinese cities. It is common for elders to warn younger people to '小心别扭伤' (be careful not to sprain yourself) when the ground is slippery or during strenuous work. The word carries a sense of suddenness—it is rarely a chronic condition but rather an acute event that requires immediate attention like ice or rest.

下雪天走路要慢一点，以免扭伤脚。(Walk slowly on snowy days to avoid spraining your foot.)

Anatomy of the Word: The radical in 扭 is 扌 (hand), suggesting a physical manipulation or movement. The radical in 伤 is 亻 (person), combined with a phonetic component that historically related to being struck or cut. Together, they paint a picture of a person's body part being forcefully turned to the point of damage.

In modern usage, the word has remained remarkably consistent. It is not used metaphorically as often as words like 'heartbreak' (伤心), but it remains the standard, essential term for this specific type of physical trauma. Whether you are at the gym, the hospital, or just chatting with a friend who is limping, 扭伤 is the indispensable word to describe that painful twist.

Using 扭伤 (niǔshāng) correctly requires understanding its role as a transitive verb that often takes a body part as its direct object. The most common sentence pattern is [Subject] + 扭伤了 + [Body Part]. The addition of '了' (le) is crucial in most contexts because a sprain is usually a completed action with an ongoing result.

我不小心扭伤了腰。(I accidentally sprained my lower back.)

When you want to describe the cause of the sprain, you can use a temporal clause or a '时' (shí - when) construction. For example, '跑步时' (while running) or '打篮球的时候' (while playing basketball). This provides context to the injury, which is very common in medical or insurance reporting.

Passive Voice: While less common than the active voice, you can use the '被' (bèi) construction if you want to emphasize the body part: 我的脚被扭伤了 (My foot was sprained). However, the active voice is generally preferred in natural Chinese conversation.

Another important grammatical feature is the use of degree complements. Since a sprain can range from a minor twinge to a debilitating tear, you can use '得' (de) to describe the severity: 扭伤得厉害 (sprained severely) or 扭伤得不轻 (sprained not lightly/quite seriously).

You can also use 扭伤 as a noun, though it usually functions as the head of a noun phrase. For instance, 这次严重的扭伤 (this serious sprain) or 扭伤的治疗 (the treatment of the sprain). In these cases, it acts as the central subject of the discussion regarding medical care or recovery timelines.

医生说这只是轻微的扭伤，休息几天就好了。(The doctor said it's just a minor sprain; it will be fine after a few days of rest.)

Finally, remember that 扭伤 can be modified by adverbs of frequency or manner. If someone is prone to injury, you might say 他又扭伤了 (He sprained [it] again). If the action was intentional (rare for an injury but possible in a fight), you might see different modifiers, though 扭伤 almost always implies an accident.

The word 扭伤 (niǔshāng) is a staple of everyday Mandarin, appearing in a variety of environments from the mundane to the professional. If you are living in a Chinese-speaking environment, you will most likely hear it in the following settings:

The Fitness Center or Sports Field: This is the primary 'habitat' for the word. Coaches, trainers, and athletes use it constantly. You'll hear: '热身很重要，否则容易扭伤' (Warming up is important, otherwise it's easy to sprain something).
Hospitals and Clinics: When visiting the '骨科' (orthopedics department), 扭伤 is the term of choice for initial diagnosis. Nurses will ask, '你是怎么扭伤的？' (How did you sprain it?).

In addition to these physical locations, you will hear 扭伤 frequently in news reports, especially sports journalism. When a famous basketball or soccer player is sidelined, the headlines will invariably read: '[Player Name] 扭伤脚踝，将缺席比赛' (Player Name sprained ankle, will miss the game). This makes it a high-frequency word for anyone following the CBA (Chinese Basketball Association) or other leagues.

他在昨晚的比赛中不幸扭伤了手腕。(He unfortunately sprained his wrist in last night's game.)

You will also hear it in the workplace, particularly in jobs that involve manual labor or commuting. If a colleague is absent or walking with a limp, they might explain, '我昨天搬家扭伤了腰' (I sprained my back moving house yesterday). It is a socially acceptable way to explain a temporary physical limitation without needing to go into deep medical detail.

Finally, in the context of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which is very popular, practitioners will often use 扭伤 when discussing '气血不通' (stagnation of Qi and blood) resulting from a physical twist. They might suggest '拔罐' (cupping) or '推拿' (massage) as a '扭伤的治疗方法' (treatment method for a sprain).

While 扭伤 (niǔshāng) is a straightforward word, English speakers and beginning learners often make several common errors when integrating it into their Chinese vocabulary.

Confusing '扭伤' with '拉伤' (lāshāng): This is the most frequent mistake. '扭伤' is a sprain (ligament injury due to twisting), whereas '拉伤' is a strain (muscle or tendon injury due to overstretching). If you pull a muscle while sprinting, use '拉伤'; if you roll your ankle, use '扭伤'.
Incorrect Word Order: English speakers often try to translate 'My ankle is sprained' literally as '我的脚踝是扭伤的'. While grammatically possible in some specific contexts, it sounds very unnatural. The standard way is '我扭伤了脚踝'.

Another error is the misuse of '扭' (niǔ) by itself. While '扭' means twist, using it alone to describe an injury can be ambiguous. For example, '我扭了脚' (I twisted my foot) is common and acceptable, but '扭伤' is more precise because it confirms there is an actual injury (伤). Using '扭' alone might just mean you moved it weirdly without lasting pain.

错误：我的手腕扭伤很疼。(Incorrect: My wrist sprain is very painful - sounds like a direct translation).
正确：我扭伤了手腕，很疼。(Correct: I sprained my wrist, it hurts a lot.)

Finally, learners sometimes confuse 扭伤 with 骨折 (gǔzhé - fracture). It is important to distinguish these in a medical emergency. If you tell a doctor you have a 扭伤 but your bone is actually protruding, there will be a significant misunderstanding! Always use 扭伤 for soft tissue and 骨折 for bone breaks.

To truly master the vocabulary of physical injuries in Chinese, it is helpful to compare 扭伤 (niǔshāng) with its synonyms and related terms. Each word has a specific nuance that dictates when it should be used over the others.

崴 (wǎi): This is a very common, more colloquial term specifically for spraining an ankle. People often say '崴了脚' (wǎi le jiǎo). It is more informal than 扭伤 and is almost exclusively used for feet.
挫伤 (cuòshāng): This refers to a contusion or a bruise resulting from a blunt impact. Unlike 扭伤, which involves twisting, 挫伤 involves being hit by something. If you run into a table, it's a 挫伤; if you trip and twist your ankle, it's a 扭伤.
拉伤 (lāshāng): As mentioned before, this is a 'muscle strain.' It involves the stretching or tearing of muscle fibers. Common with hamstrings or back muscles during heavy lifting.

In a more formal or medical context, you might see the term 脱臼 (tuōjiù), which means dislocation. This is much more serious than a 扭伤, as the bone has actually popped out of the joint socket. While a 扭伤 is a 'twist,' a 脱臼 is a 'displacement.'

比较：
1. 我扭伤了脚踝。(I sprained my ankle - standard)
2. 我崴了脚。(I twisted my foot - colloquial)
3. 我拉伤了肌肉。(I strained a muscle - muscle-specific)

There is also the term 闪 (shǎn), specifically used in the phrase '闪了腰' (shǎn le yāo). This is a very common way to describe a sudden, sharp sprain or 'throwing out' of one's back. While you could say '扭伤了腰,' saying '闪了腰' sounds much more like a native speaker when referring to back injuries caused by sudden movements.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '扭' (niǔ) is often used in the names of traditional dances, like the 'Yangge' (扭秧歌), which involves a lot of hip twisting. Be careful not to 扭伤 while doing it!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ni̯oʊ̯˨˩˦ ʂɑŋ˥/

US /ni̯oʊ̯˨˩˦ ʂɑŋ˥/

The primary emphasis is usually on the first syllable '扭' (niǔ) to emphasize the action.

Rhymes With

走 (zǒu) 口 (kǒu) 手 (shǒu) 方 (fāng) 光 (guāng) 忙 (máng) 帮 (bāng) 长 (cháng)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '扭' (niǔ) with the second tone instead of the third.
Mixing up the 'sh' in 'shāng' with a simple 's' sound.
Forgetting to nasalize the 'ang' in 'shāng'.
Pronouncing 'niǔ' like 'niú' (cow).
Failing to sustain the high pitch of the first tone in 'shāng'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Characters are moderately common but require knowing the 'hand' and 'person' radicals.

Writing 4/5

The character '扭' has several strokes, and '伤' must be distinguished from '份'.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is relatively easy once tones are mastered.

Listening 2/5

High frequency in sports and health contexts makes it easy to recognize.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

手 (shǒu) 脚 (jiǎo) 疼 (téng) 不小心 (bù xiǎoxīn) 了 (le)

Learn Next

骨折 (gǔzhé) 肌肉 (jīròu) 恢复 (huīfù) 肿 (zhǒng) 治疗 (zhìliáo)

Advanced

韧带 (rèndài) 软组织 (ruǎnzǔzhī) 关节炎 (guānjiéyán) 物理治疗 (wùlǐ zhìliáo) 脱臼 (tuōjiù)

Grammar to Know

The resultative complement '了' (le)

我扭伤了。

The 'Ba' construction for disposal

他把腰扭伤了。

Degree complements with '得'

扭伤得不轻。

Time clauses with '...的时候'

走路的时候扭伤了。

Passive voice with '被'

他的脚被扭伤了。

Examples by Level

我扭伤了脚。

I sprained my foot.

Simple Subject + Verb + Object structure.

他不小心扭伤了。

He accidentally sprained [something].

Using '不小心' (accidentally) as an adverb.

你的手扭伤了吗？

Did you sprain your hand?

A simple question using '吗'.

扭伤的地方很疼。

The sprained place hurts a lot.

'扭伤' used as an adjective modifying '地方'.

我昨天扭伤了腰。

I sprained my back yesterday.

Time expression '昨天' placed before the verb.

别动，你扭伤了。

Don't move, you've sprained [it].

Imperative '别' + verb.

医生，我扭伤了脚踝。

Doctor, I sprained my ankle.

Specific body part '脚踝' used as object.

我的脚扭伤了，不能走。

My foot is sprained, I can't walk.

Topic-comment structure.

我在跑步的时候扭伤了脚。

I sprained my foot while I was running.

Using '...的时候' to indicate when the action happened.

如果你不小心，就会扭伤。

If you aren't careful, you will sprain [something].

Conditional '如果...就...' structure.

他扭伤了手，所以不能写字。

He sprained his hand, so he can't write.

Cause and effect '所以' (so).

这次扭伤并不严重。

This sprain is not serious.

'扭伤' used as a noun.

你应该给扭伤的地方冰敷。

You should apply ice to the sprained area.

Using '应该' (should) for advice.

他在打篮球时扭伤了膝盖。

He sprained his knee while playing basketball.

Body part '膝盖' (knee) as the object.

我的脚踝扭伤了，还在肿。

My ankle is sprained and it's still swollen.

Describing the result '还在肿' (still swelling).

因为扭伤，他没去上班。

Because of the sprain, he didn't go to work.

Using '因为' (because) to state a reason.

医生说这只是轻微的扭伤，不用担心。

The doctor said it's just a minor sprain, no need to worry.

Modifying '扭伤' with '轻微的' (minor/slight).

他扭伤得厉害，可能需要休息一个月。

He sprained it severely and might need to rest for a month.

Degree complement '得厉害' (severely).

为了防止扭伤，运动前一定要热身。

To prevent sprains, you must warm up before exercising.

Using '为了' (in order to) to express purpose.

这种扭伤通常需要冰敷和休息。

This kind of sprain usually requires icing and rest.

General statement using '通常' (usually).

我不确定是骨折还是扭伤。

I'm not sure if it's a fracture or a sprain.

Using '是...还是...' (is it A or B).

即使是轻微的扭伤，也应该重视。

Even a minor sprain should be taken seriously.

Concessive '即使...也...' (even if... still...).

他因为扭伤错过了最重要的比赛。

He missed the most important game because of a sprain.

Cause '因为' leading to a missed opportunity.

你的扭伤好点了吗？

Is your sprain better now?

Asking about recovery progress.

剧烈运动时，脚踝很容易发生扭伤。

Ankle sprains occur easily during strenuous exercise.

Formal structure '发生扭伤' (occurrence of a sprain).

虽然扭伤已经痊愈，但他还是不敢用力。

Although the sprain has healed, he still dares not use force.

Contrast '虽然...但是...' (although... but...).

如果扭伤后处理不当，可能会留下后遗症。

If a sprain is not handled properly, it may leave lasting effects.

Complex conditional with '处理不当' (improper handling).

这种药膏对缓解扭伤引起的肿痛非常有效。

This ointment is very effective for relieving swelling and pain caused by sprains.

Using '引起' (caused by) to describe the origin of pain.

他在职业生涯中多次遭受严重的扭伤。

He suffered serious sprains many times during his professional career.

Formal verb '遭受' (to suffer/undergo).

医生建议他进行物理治疗以加速扭伤的恢复。

The doctor suggested he undergo physical therapy to speed up the recovery of the sprain.

Using '以' (in order to) in a formal way.

扭伤后应立即停止活动并抬高患肢。

After a sprain, one should immediately stop activity and elevate the affected limb.

Formal medical advice structure.

频繁的扭伤说明他的韧带可能比较松弛。

Frequent sprains suggest that his ligaments might be quite loose.

Logical deduction '说明' (explains/shows).

反复的扭伤可能导致关节不稳，甚至引发长期病变。

Repeated sprains can lead to joint instability and even trigger long-term pathological changes.

Using '导致' (lead to) and '引发' (trigger) for complex causality.

他那次扭伤不仅是肉体上的痛苦，更影响了他的竞技状态。

That sprain was not only physical pain but also affected his competitive form.

Not only... but also '不仅...更...'.

对于急性扭伤，早期的冷敷处理至关重要。

For acute sprains, early cold compress treatment is of vital importance.

Formal '至关重要' (crucial/essential).

尽管只是扭伤，但为了保险起见，他还是做了磁共振检查。

Although it was just a sprain, for safety's sake, he still had an MRI scan.

Idiomatic '为了保险起见' (to be on the safe side).

扭伤的严重程度通常根据韧带受损的情况来划分等级。

The severity of a sprain is usually graded based on the condition of the ligament damage.

Using '根据...来...' (based on...).

由于扭伤未愈，他不得不退出了这次备受瞩目的探险活动。

Since the sprain had not healed, he had to withdraw from this highly anticipated expedition.

Formal '备受瞩目' (much-anticipated).

这种康复训练旨在增强肌肉力量，从而减少扭伤的风险。

This rehabilitation training is designed to strengthen muscle power, thereby reducing the risk of sprains.

Formal '旨在' (aims to) and '从而' (thereby).

他在处理这起扭伤赔偿案件时表现出了极高的专业素养。

He showed a high level of professionalism when handling this sprain compensation case.

Using '表现出' (demonstrate/show) in a professional context.

此类扭伤若不辅以科学的康复手段，极易演变为慢性痼疾。

If such sprains are not supplemented by scientific rehabilitation means, they can easily evolve into chronic ailments.

High-level vocabulary like '辅以' (supplemented by) and '痼疾' (chronic illness).

扭伤后的病理生理反应包括局部充血、水肿及炎性渗出。

The pathophysiological reactions after a sprain include local congestion, edema, and inflammatory exudation.

Technical medical terminology.

他试图通过强化核心肌群来代偿因扭伤而减弱的关节稳定性。

He attempted to compensate for the weakened joint stability caused by the sprain by strengthening his core muscle groups.

Sophisticated use of '代偿' (compensate) and '因...而...'.

该运动员的脚踝扭伤属于三度损伤，伴有明显的撕脱骨折风险。

The athlete's ankle sprain is a third-degree injury, accompanied by a significant risk of avulsion fracture.

Precise medical grading and terminology.

在评估扭伤的预后时，必须充分考虑到个体的年龄及既往病史。

When evaluating the prognosis of a sprain, one must fully consider the individual's age and past medical history.

Academic structure '在评估...时' and '充分考虑到'.

即便是在这种轻微扭伤的情况下，他也表现得如履薄冰，生怕再次受伤。

Even in the case of this minor sprain, he acted with extreme caution, fearing another injury.

Idiomatic '如履薄冰' (as if treading on thin ice).

扭伤引发的疼痛在很大程度上受心理暗示和主观感受的影响。

The pain caused by a sprain is influenced to a large extent by psychological suggestion and subjective perception.

Complex subject and passive influence structure.

通过对手术与保守治疗在严重扭伤中的疗效对比，研究得出了明确结论。

By comparing the efficacy of surgery versus conservative treatment in severe sprains, the study reached a clear conclusion.

Academic research phrasing.

Common Collocations

严重扭伤

轻微扭伤

扭伤脚踝

扭伤腰部

不小心扭伤

习惯性扭伤

扭伤恢复

防止扭伤

治疗扭伤

引起扭伤

Common Phrases

扭伤了脚

— Sprained one's foot. The most common use case.

我下楼时扭伤了脚。

扭伤了腰

— Sprained one's back. Common in manual labor.

他搬箱子时扭伤了腰。

扭伤了手腕

— Sprained one's wrist. Common in sports or falls.

他滑倒时扭伤了手腕。

扭伤处

— The site of the sprain. Used when applying medicine.

请在扭伤处涂抹药膏。

急性扭伤

— Acute sprain. A medical term for a recent injury.

这是急性扭伤，需要冰敷。

陈旧性扭伤

— Old or chronic sprain. An injury that hasn't healed well.

他的脚踝是陈旧性扭伤。

扭伤肿胀

— Swelling caused by a sprain.

扭伤肿胀得很厉害。

防止再次扭伤

— Prevent re-spraining. Focus on safety.

穿运动鞋可以防止再次扭伤。

扭伤的症状

— Symptoms of a sprain.

你知道扭伤的症状吗？

扭伤后遗症

— After-effects of a sprain.

他一直担心扭伤后遗症。

Often Confused With

扭伤 vs 拉伤 (lāshāng)

Muscle strain vs. joint sprain. 扭伤 is for joints/ligaments.

扭伤 vs 骨折 (gǔzhé)

Bone fracture vs. sprain. 扭伤 is for soft tissue.

扭伤 vs 挫伤 (cuòshāng)

Bruise/contusion from impact vs. twist. 扭伤 is from twisting.

Idioms & Expressions

"伤筋动骨"

— Literally 'injure the muscles and break the bones.' It refers to a serious physical injury that takes a long time to heal.

这次扭伤真是伤筋动骨，得休息百天。

Common Idiom

"扭头就跑"

— To turn one's head and run immediately. Uses '扭' but not in an injury sense.

他看到警察，扭头就跑。

Common Phrase

"扭亏为盈"

— To turn a loss into a profit. A business idiom using '扭' (to turn/change).

公司今年终于扭亏为盈了。

Formal/Business

"扭转乾坤"

— To turn the tide; to fundamentally change a situation. Uses '扭' for 'turning'.

他的进球扭转了乾坤。

Literary/Formal

"七扭八歪"

— Crooked; in a mess. Uses '扭' and '歪' (crooked/sprained).

字写得七扭八歪的。

Colloquial

"扭死捏活"

— To act in an affected or artificial manner (rare).

她说话总是扭死捏活的。

Obscure

"扭捏作态"

— To behave in an affected or shy way.

别扭捏作态了，快说话吧。

Neutral

"扭打成一团"

— To wrestle or scuffle together.

那两个孩子扭打成一团。

Neutral

"伤痕累累"

— Covered in scars/bruises. Related to '伤'.

比赛结束后，他伤痕累累。

Literary

"劳民伤财"

— To waste manpower and money. Related to '伤'.

建这个大楼真是劳民伤财。

Formal

Easily Confused

扭伤 vs 骨折 (gǔzhé)

Both are common physical injuries occurring in similar situations.

骨折 is a break in the bone, while 扭伤 is an injury to the ligaments caused by twisting.

医生确定这不是骨折，只是严重的扭伤。

扭伤 vs 拉伤 (lāshāng)

Both involve soft tissue and pain during exercise.

拉伤 is a 'strain' (muscle/tendon), while 扭伤 is a 'sprain' (ligament/joint twist).

他大腿拉伤了，而我扭伤了脚踝。

扭伤 vs 崴 (wǎi)

They mean the same thing for feet.

崴 is colloquial and mostly for feet; 扭伤 is standard and for any joint.

他崴了脚，医生说是轻微扭伤。

扭伤 vs 脱臼 (tuōjiù)

Both happen to joints during accidents.

脱臼 is a dislocation (bone out of socket); 扭伤 is just a twist of the ligaments.

肩膀脱臼比扭伤要痛苦得多。

扭伤 vs 碰伤 (pèngshāng)

Both result in pain and bruising.

碰伤 is from hitting something; 扭伤 is from a twisting motion.

我的膝盖是碰伤的，不是扭伤。

Sentence Patterns

我扭伤了[Body Part]。

我扭伤了脚。

我不小心扭伤了[Body Part]。

我不小心扭伤了手。

[Activity]时，我扭伤了[Body Part]。

跑步时，我扭伤了脚踝。

扭伤得[Degree]。

扭伤得非常厉害。

由于[Reason]，导致[Body Part]扭伤。

由于地面湿滑，导致他脚踝扭伤。

为了防止扭伤，应该[Action]。

为了防止扭伤，应该加强肌肉训练。

扭伤的恢复需要[Time]。

扭伤的恢复需要至少三周时间。

若扭伤未得到及时治疗，恐[Result]。

若扭伤未得到及时治疗，恐引发慢性疼痛。

Word Family

Nouns

伤口 (shāngkǒu) - wound

伤势 (shāngshì) - condition of an injury

扭力 (niǔlì) - torque/twisting force

Verbs

扭转 (niǔzhuǎn) - to reverse/turn around

扭动 (niǔdòng) - to wriggle/writhe

伤害 (shānghài) - to harm/damage

Adjectives

伤心的 (shāngxīn de) - sad/heartbroken

扭曲的 (niǔqū de) - distorted/twisted

脚踝 (jiǎohuái) - ankle

韧带 (rèndài) - ligament

肌肉 (jīròu) - muscle

石膏 (shígāo) - plaster cast

绷带 (bēngdài) - bandage

How to Use It

frequency

High in daily life, sports, and medical contexts.

Common Mistakes

我的脚踝是扭伤。 → 我扭伤了脚踝。
In Chinese, it's more natural to use the active voice (I sprained...) rather than the 'to be' construction.
他拉伤了脚踝。 → 他扭伤了脚踝。
You don't usually 'pull' an ankle; you 'twist' it. Use 扭伤 for joints.
我扭伤在跑步的时候。 → 我跑步的时候扭伤了。
The time phrase (跑步的时候) must come before the verb.
扭伤得很严重了。 → 扭伤得很严重。
When using a degree complement with '得,' you don't usually need another '了' at the end.
扭伤他的脚。 → 他扭伤了脚。
Ensure the subject is the person who suffered the injury, and use '了' for the completed event.

Tips

Verb-Result Structure

Remember that 伤 acts as the result of the action 扭. This is a common pattern in Chinese verbs (Action + Result).

Body Parts First

Learn the body parts (脚, 手, 腰, 膝盖) along with 扭伤 to make the word useful immediately.

TCM Context

If someone suggests '推拿' (massage) for a 扭伤, they are referring to a common Chinese medical treatment.

Tone Accuracy

The third tone in 'niǔ' is important. If you say it with the first tone, it might sound like 'new' in English, which is confusing.

Radical Recognition

Look for the hand radical 扌 in 扭. It helps you remember that it's a physical action.

Context Clues

If you hear someone saying '哎哟' (ouch) and then '扭伤,' they are definitely talking about an injury.

Sports News

Read the sports section of a Chinese newspaper to see 扭伤 used in professional contexts.

Safety First

Use the phrase '小心别扭伤' (Be careful not to sprain) to show concern for others.

Sprain vs. Strain

Always double-check if the injury is a 'twist' (扭伤) or a 'pull' (拉伤).

Flashcards

Put a picture of a bandaged ankle on one side of a flashcard and 扭伤 on the other.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the '扌' (hand) in '扭' twisting something until it creates a '伤' (wound) on a '亻' (person).

Visual Association

Imagine a wet towel being wrung out (扭) and then a red 'X' appearing on a cartoon ankle (伤).

Word Web

扭 (Twist) 伤 (Injury) 脚 (Foot) 疼 (Pain) 医生 (Doctor) 休息 (Rest) 冰 (Ice) 药 (Medicine)

Challenge

Try to say 'I accidentally sprained my ankle while running' five times fast in Chinese: '我跑步时不小心扭伤了脚踝'.

Word Origin

The word is a compound of two ancient characters. '扭' (twist) dates back to the idea of manual manipulation (hand radical). '伤' (injury) originally depicted a person being struck by a weapon.

Original meaning: To injure by twisting.

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities; it is a neutral medical/physical term.

In English, we often say 'I twisted my ankle' or 'I sprained my ankle' interchangeably. In Chinese, '扭伤' covers both, but '崴' is more common for 'twisted' in casual speech.

Yao Ming's career was famously plagued by 扭伤 and other foot injuries. In many Kung Fu movies, a fighter might 扭伤 their opponent's wrist during a grapple. The song 'Yangge' refers to the twisting dance style.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Sports Injury

他在比赛中扭伤了。
需要下场休息。
冰敷一下。
严重吗？

Medical Clinic

什么时候扭伤的？
拍个片子看看。
开点药膏。
休息两周。

Daily Accident

路太滑了，我扭伤了脚。
真倒霉。
还能走吗？
我扶你。

Workplace

我扭伤了腰，要请假。
工伤赔偿。
注意安全。
别搬太重的东西。

Fitness/Gym

动作不对容易扭伤。
热身做好了吗？
慢慢来。
保护好关节。

Conversation Starters

"你曾经扭伤过脚踝吗？是怎么发生的？"

"如果朋友扭伤了，你会怎么帮他？"

"你觉得扭伤和骨折哪个更难受？"

"做哪些运动最容易扭伤？"

"你有什么治疗扭伤的好办法吗？"

Journal Prompts

记述一次你或者你朋友扭伤的经历。

讨论为什么运动员经常会遇到扭伤的问题。

写一段关于如何在冬天防止扭伤的建议。

如果你因为扭伤不能参加重要活动，你会有什么感受？

描述一下去医院看扭伤的过程。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

The most natural way is '我扭伤了脚踝' (Wǒ niǔshāngle jiǎohuái) or casually '我崴了脚' (Wǒ wǎile jiǎo).

扭 (niǔ) is the verb 'to twist.' 扭伤 (niǔshāng) is 'to twist and injure.' If you twist your ankle but it doesn't hurt later, you just '扭了' (niǔle). If it hurts and swells, you '扭伤了' (niǔshāngle).

Yes, '扭伤了腰' (niǔshāngle yāo) is very common, especially when lifting heavy things.

It can be both. As a verb: '他扭伤了手' (He sprained his hand). As a noun: '这次扭伤很严重' (This sprain is very serious).

You should go to the '骨科' (orthopedics department) of a hospital. They might give you '膏药' (medicated plasters) or '喷雾' (spray).

It is a standard, neutral word. It's appropriate for both casual talk and medical reports.

You say '轻微扭伤' (qīngwēi niǔshāng).

No, for a pulled muscle, use '拉伤' (lāshāng).

Usually, yes, because a sprain is an event that has already happened. '我扭伤了' (I have sprained).

There isn't a direct opposite, but '痊愈' (quányù - to heal) or '完好' (wánhǎo - intact) are used in contrast.