trauma

/ˈtrɔːmə/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtrɔːmə/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtrȯ-mə also ˈtrau̇-/ (ame, mw)

trauma — noun

  • traumasingular
  • traumasplural

1. the emotional wound that stays with a person long after a terrifying event, maki

1.名詞B2
釋義

the emotional wound that stays with a person long after a terrifying event, making it hard for them to feel normal or safe again

例句

Gita still struggles with the trauma of losing her home in the earthquake years ago.

trauma of + [event/experience]

Many soldiers returning from war carry deep emotional trauma that affects their daily lives.

collocation: emotional trauma

同義詞
  • shock

    less clinical and often more temporary than trauma; shock is the immediate reaction, while trauma implies lasting effects

  • distress

    broader and less severe; distress covers everyday worry and sadness, while trauma is specifically linked to extreme events

  • ordeal

    focuses on the difficult experience itself rather than the lasting psychological wound

文法句型

trauma of [event/experience]

trauma from [cause]

用法筆記

Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the general condition. The countable form (a trauma / traumas) is reserved for specific events or experiences. In everyday conversation, use the word carefully — 'trauma' describes severe suffering, and applying it to minor stress can diminish its meaning for those who have experienced real trauma.

常見錯誤

❌I had trauma because I didn't get a promotion.
✅I was really disappointed when I didn't get the promotion.
💡'Trauma' is too strong for ordinary disappointments; it refers to severe, lasting emotional pain from extreme events.
❌She experienced a trauma stress after the accident.
✅She experienced trauma after the accident.' or 'She experienced traumatic stress after the accident.
💡'Trauma' is a noun, not an adjective; use 'traumatic' to describe the type of stress.

2. a serious physical injury to part of the body, typically resulting from an accid

2.名詞B2
釋義

a serious physical injury to part of the body, typically resulting from an accident, a fall, or a violent act

例句

The paramedics treated Ilan for blunt-force trauma to his chest after the collision.

collocation: blunt-force trauma

The hospital trauma center handled three severe cases during the night shift.

collocation: trauma center

同義詞
  • injury

    general term for any physical harm; trauma implies more serious, often life-threatening damage

  • wound

    specifically refers to damage where skin is broken or tissue is cut, while trauma can include internal damage without an open wound

  • damage

    broader and less clinical; can apply to objects and non-living things, while trauma is specific to living tissue

文法句型

trauma to [body part]

trauma caused by [cause]

用法筆記

Commonly appears in compound medical terms such as 'blunt-force trauma', 'head trauma', or 'chest trauma' to specify the type or location of injury. In medical settings, the word can be both countable (specific injuries to different body parts) and uncountable (physical injury in general).

常見錯誤

❌The patient has a trauma in his leg.
✅The patient has trauma to his leg.
💡The standard medical preposition is 'to', not 'in', when specifying the injured body part.
❌He got trauma from the game.
✅He suffered trauma during the game.' or 'He was injured during the game.
💡'Get trauma' is unnatural; use 'suffer trauma' or specify the physical injury directly.