Translation guide
A bruise is a dark mark on the skin caused by injury. In Japanese, the most common word is あざ, but there are also specific terms for bruises from blows, blood blisters, and related verbs.
The learner wants to refer to a bruise as a visible mark on the skin, regardless of cause.
The most common and general word for a bruise. It can refer to any kind of bruise, including those from injury or medical conditions. Often written in hiragana, but the kanji is 痣.
転んで、膝にあざができた。
I fell and got a bruise on my knee.
彼の腕に大きなあざがある。
He has a big bruise on his arm.
Literally 'blue bruise', this specifically refers to a bruise that appears blue/purple. It's commonly used in everyday speech.
ぶつけて青あざができた。
I bumped into something and got a bruise.
The learner wants to describe a bruise caused specifically by being hit or struck.
A medical/formal term for a contusion or bruise caused by a blow. Used in medical contexts or official reports.
医者に打撲傷と診断された。
The doctor diagnosed it as a contusion.
A common term for a bruise from being hit. Less formal than 打撲傷, often used in daily conversation.
The learner wants to refer to a dark red/purple spot caused by pinching or blood trapped under skin.
A blood blister; a small bruise-like swelling filled with blood, often from pinching or friction.
ドアに指を挟んで血豆ができた。
I caught my finger in the door and got a blood blister.
The learner wants to express the action of getting a bruise.
The most natural way to say 'to bruise' or 'to get a bruise'. Literally 'become a bruise'.
ぶつけたところがあざになった。
The place I bumped became bruised.
Another common way to say 'to get a bruise', focusing on the bruise forming.
転ぶとすぐにあざができる。
I bruise easily when I fall.
The learner wants to say that something caused a bruise on someone or something.
To cause a bruise; literally 'make a bruise'. Used when the subject is the cause.
そのボールが彼の腕にあざを作った。
The ball bruised his arm.
A formal/medical verb meaning 'to contuse' or 'to bruise by striking'. Rare in everyday speech.
事故で胸部を打撲した。
I bruised my chest in the accident.
The learner wants to express that someone bruises easily or is prone to bruising.
Means 'bruise easily' or 'prone to bruising'. Literally 'easy to get bruises'.
私はあざができやすい体質だ。
I have a constitution that bruises easily.
傷 means 'wound' or 'injury' in general, often implying a cut or open wound. Using it for a bruise can be confusing. Stick with あざ for bruises.
あざ is the broadest term. 青あざ emphasizes the blue color. 打ち身 specifically implies a bruise from impact. In casual conversation, あざ is usually sufficient.
サッカーで打ち身ができた。
I got a bruise from playing soccer.