"Injury" is physical damage in general, especially from an accident; "wound" is an open cut or damage, usually caused by violence or a weapon.
Noun. Any physical damage to the body, especially from an accident, sport, or fall. Covers fractures, sprains, bruises, and cuts. It is the broader term.
The player suffered a knee injury during the match.
El jugador sufrio una lesion en la rodilla durante el partido.
He was rushed to hospital with serious injuries after the crash.
Fue llevado de urgencia al hospital con lesiones graves despues del accidente.
Stretching before exercise can prevent injuries.
Estirarse antes de ejercitarse puede prevenir lesiones.
Noun. An open cut or damage to skin or tissue, usually caused by something sharp, a bullet, or violence. Implies cutting or piercing.
The soldier received a bullet wound in his shoulder.
El soldado recibio una herida de bala en su hombro.
She cleaned and bandaged the wound carefully.
Ella limpio y vendó la herida con cuidado.
The knife wound required twelve stitches.
La herida de cuchillo requirio doce puntos.
Common mistake
Typical error: using "wound" for a sports injury. "He got a wound playing soccer" sounds odd; natural is "He got an injury playing soccer." "Wound" implies something that cuts or pierces. A sprain, fracture, or bruise is an "injury", not a "wound". If there is bleeding and it was caused by something sharp or by violence, "wound" is correct.
Trick to remember it
"Injury" = any physical damage (safe word for any harm). "Wound" = open damage from something sharp or violent. When in doubt, use "injury": it is never wrong. Use "wound" only when there is a cut, bullet, or weapon involved.
Quick rule
Injury = damage in general (accident, sport). Wound = open damage from violence or a weapon.
Did you know?
"To wound someone's pride" uses "wound" as a verb in a figurative sense. As a verb, "wound" means to hurt physically or emotionally in a piercing way. "Wounded" is commonly used for soldiers and victims of violence; "injured" is used for athletes and accident victims.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
Three soldiers were _____ in the attack. They were taken to the military hospital.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
She twisted her ankle during the marathon and had to stop due to the _____.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Injury = damage in general (accident, sport). Wound = open damage from violence or a weapon.
Typical error: using "wound" for a sports injury. "He got a wound playing soccer" sounds odd; natural is "He got an injury playing soccer." "Wound" implies something that cuts or pierces. A sprain, fracture, or bruise is an "injury", not a "wound". If there is bleeding and it was caused by something sharp or by violence, "wound" is correct.
"Injury" = any physical damage (safe word for any harm). "Wound" = open damage from something sharp or violent. When in doubt, use "injury": it is never wrong. Use "wound" only when there is a cut, bullet, or weapon involved.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy