1.
serious injury; severe wound
An injury that is severe and requires significant medical treatment. In Japanese legal and medical contexts, generally defined as an injury requiring more than 30 days of treatment.
事故で重傷を負った。
He sustained serious injuries in the accident.
重傷者は病院に搬送された。
The seriously injured were transported to the hospital.
幸い命に別状はなかったが、足に重傷を負い、入院することになった。
Fortunately his life was not in danger, but he sustained a serious leg injury and had to be hospitalized.
重傷 refers to physical injuries. It is commonly seen in news reports about accidents, crimes, and disasters.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 重傷を負う (to sustain serious injuries)
- 重傷者 (seriously injured person)
- 全治〇週間の重傷 (serious injury requiring X weeks to heal)
Distinct from 重症 (serious illness/condition), which is a homophone. 重傷 uses the kanji 傷 (wound/injury) and refers to physical wounds, while 重症 uses 症 (condition/symptom) and refers to a severe state of illness. The opposite is 軽傷 (minor injury).