重伤

• Pinyin: zhòng shāng
• Hanzi breakdown: 重 = 千 + 里 (heavy); 伤 = 亻 + 𠂉 + 力 (wound)

Meaning

Serious injury; severe wound. A physical injury that is life-threatening or causes significant impairment.

Used in medical, legal, and news contexts to describe injuries that are severe enough to require hospitalization or cause lasting damage. Legally distinct from minor injuries in criminal proceedings.

Examples

1. 车祸中有三人重伤。 Three people were seriously injured in the car accident.
2. 受害者身受重伤被送往医院。 The victim was severely injured and taken to the hospital.
3. 那名士兵在战斗中身负重伤。 That soldier was seriously wounded in battle.

Usage Guide

Context: medical, legal, news

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 爆炸事故造成五人死亡、十二人重伤。(The explosion caused five deaths and twelve serious injuries.)
• 嫌疑人被控故意伤害致人重伤罪。(The suspect was charged with intentional injury causing serious harm.)

Don't Say

• 我的心重伤了 — use 受伤 or 伤心 for emotional hurt

Origin & History

重 (serious, severe) + 伤 (injury, wound)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal