How to Say “Burn injury” in Chinese
Emergencies and health · HSK 4
"Burn injury" in Chinese is 烧伤 (shāo shāng). Chinese makes a useful distinction English doesn't: 烧伤 (shāo shāng) is for burns from fire or chemicals, while 烫伤 (tàng shāng) is for scalds from hot liquids, steam, or hot objects. At a hospital, tell the doctor which one; 我被开水烫伤了 ('I got scalded by boiling water') vs.
Primary translation
烧伤
shāo shāng
Traditional: 燒傷
Variants by register
Formal
烫伤
tàng shāng
When to use it
Chinese makes a useful distinction English doesn't: 烧伤 (shāo shāng) is for burns from fire or chemicals, while 烫伤 (tàng shāng) is for scalds from hot liquids, steam, or hot objects. At a hospital, tell the doctor which one; 我被开水烫伤了 ('I got scalded by boiling water') vs. 我被火烧伤了 ('I got burned by fire'). This matters for treatment. Severity is measured in degrees: 一度烫伤 (first-degree), 二度 (second), 三度 (third). A classic folk remedy you'll hear; putting toothpaste on a burn; is actually discouraged by doctors now; just use cold water.
Example sentences
我被开水烫伤了手。
Wǒ bèi kāi shuǐ tàng shāng le shǒu.
I scalded my hand with boiling water.
烧伤科在住院部二楼。
Shāo shāng kē zài zhù yuàn bù èr lóu.
The burn unit is on the second floor of the inpatient building.
赶紧用冷水冲，别抹牙膏。
Gǎn jǐn yòng lěng shuǐ chōng, bié mǒ yá gāo.
Quickly rinse with cold water; don't put toothpaste on it.