Meaning and Usage
The word 伤害 (shānghài) primarily means 'to injure' or 'to harm,' and it can be used both physically and emotionally. It is often used to describe damage caused by actions, words, or accidents.
Common Contexts
伤害 is frequently used in contexts involving physical injury, such as hurting a body part, but it also commonly refers to emotional or psychological harm, such as being hurt by someone's words.
Collocations and Patterns
- 伤害身体 (shānghài shēntǐ): to injure the body, used when talking about physical harm.
- 伤害感情 (shānghài gǎnqíng): to hurt feelings, used for emotional damage.
- 不小心伤害 (bù xiǎoxīn shānghài): accidentally injure/harm, common in everyday speech.
Nuances
When using 伤害, speakers imply a negative impact caused by an action or event. It can be intentional or accidental, but the focus is on the damage done. It is more formal than some colloquial expressions for 'hurt' and is suitable in both spoken and written Chinese.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse 伤害 with 受伤 (shòushāng), which means 'to be injured' (passive). 伤害 is usually active, indicating the cause of harm.