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I would like to clarify the differences between `傷{きず}` and `怪我{けが}`. Are
these assertions correct?

>   * `傷` is used exclusively for minor cuts and abrasions to the skin?
>   * `怪我` can also be used for cuts and abrasions, as well as bruising or
> other minor injuries. `怪我` is also used for major injuries such as broken
> bones, concussions, etc?
>

So, calling any type of injury a `怪我` is technically correct. And, using `怪我`
allows you to say `怪我した。`

Using `傷` allows you to be more specific as to the type of injury, but then
you must say something like `傷がついた。`

My strategy is to always say `怪我する` because I don't need to worry about
sensing the distinction between `傷` and `怪我`, and I like how `怪我する` sounds. Is
this a good policy? Is it ever critical that I say `傷` instead of `怪我`?
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question
word-choice
Is "傷" a subset of "怪我"?
傷 refers to damaged skin/surface resulting mainly from an injury, and 怪我
refers to injury itself. While, by its nature, 傷 does not usually refer to
life-threatening injuries, I don't think 傷 is a strict subset of 怪我.

  * 腕に傷がある: OK
  * 腕に怪我がある: Understandable, but slightly unnatural to me
  * 昔の傷: An old scar
  * 昔の怪我: (refers to an old event rather than a scar)
  * 怪我をする: OK
  * 傷をする: Wrong
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answer
If you want to be more specific you could also use:

### Serious injury

  * 大怪我{おおけが} — more casual  

  * 重傷{じゅうしょう} - more formal

### Light injury

  * かすり傷{きず} - more casual  

  * 軽傷{けいしょう} - more formal

To my understanding, both 傷 and 怪我 are very general terms and don't really say
much about the magnitude of damage. I think it's correct that 傷 is used for
more for cuts and damage to the skin, while 怪我 has a broader usage, and can be
used for pretty much any type of injury. 傷 is also used in some other
words/verbs like scars and hurt feelings, 傷跡 and 傷つく.

On the news they use 軽傷 and 重傷 a lot, but I've also heard 大怪我 and things like
軽い/重い or 怪我/傷.

**Also be careful about the usage of _傷つく_ since that verb is often used with
[hurt
feelings/emotions](http://ejje.weblio.jp/sentence/content/%E5%BF%83%E3%81%AE%E5%82%B7).**

傷を負う may be better if you are talking about getting hurt and want to use 傷,
but a native speaker can probably clarify that.

For broken bones 骨折する is also often used.

Another word that you probably hear a lot on the news is
[傷害](http://ejje.weblio.jp/sentence/content/+%E5%82%B7%E5%AE%B3%E3%82%92)
which seems to mean just "injury" or "damage".
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answer