Meaning

Primary

To Damage Something

Alternative

To Injure Something

Word Type

transitive verb, ichidan verb

Explanation

The kanji means wound, and this verb is transitive, so it means to damage something or to injure something.

You can use it to talk about parts of your body, so you'll sometimes see it used interchangeably with 痛める. The difference is that it's objectively focussing on the damage, not the pain. That's why 傷める can be used for objects like cars and furniture, too, whereas 痛める is only for people and body parts.

Reading

いためる
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

You learned this reading when you learned 傷む. Yay!

Context

Context Sentences

強い日差しに当たってはだを傷めてしまった。

The strong sunshine damaged my skin.

下着はデリケートな生地を使っていることが多いので、高い温度での洗たくや乾そうは生地を傷める原因になる。

Underwear is often made of delicate fabrics, so washing and drying them at high temperatures can damage the fabric.

染毛剤は髪の毛を傷める。

Hair dye damages your hair.

Kanji Composition