Meaning
肿 describes the condition of being swollen or enlarged, typically due to injury, inflammation, or fluid accumulation. It can function as both an adjective (swollen) and a verb (to swell up). This word is commonly used in medical contexts and everyday descriptions of physical conditions.
Usage
Native speakers frequently use 肿 to describe swollen body parts after injuries, infections, or allergic reactions. It's often paired with body part nouns like 脸 (face), 眼睛 (eyes), or 脚 (feet). The verb form usually appears in resultative compounds like 肿起来 (to swell up) or 肿了 (has swollen). This is standard register, used in both casual and medical contexts.
Examples
- 01她哭了一晚上，眼睛都肿了。, .She cried all night, and her eyes became swollen.
- 02我的脚扭伤了，肿得很厉害。, .I sprained my ankle, and it's very swollen.
Common collocations
- 肿起来to swell up
- 肿了has become swollen
- 又红又肿both red and swollen
- 眼睛肿了eyes are swollen
Origin
The traditional form 腫 contains the flesh/body radical 月 (肉) indicating it relates to the body, combined with 重 (heavy), suggesting the heaviness or enlargement of swollen tissue.