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contusión

kon-too-SYON/kontuˈsjon/

“contusión” means “bruise” in Spanish (a physical injury that doesn't break the skin).

bruise

Also: contusion
NounfB2formal
General
A close-up of a person's forearm showing a purple and blue bruise on the skin.

📝 In Action

El jugador se retiró del campo con una contusión en la rodilla.

B1

The player left the field with a bruise on his knee.

Tras el accidente, el informe médico indicó una contusión cerebral leve.

B2

After the accident, the medical report indicated a minor brain contusion.

Tengo varias contusiones por la caída, pero nada grave.

A2

I have several bruises from the fall, but nothing serious.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • moretón (bruise (common in Latin America))
  • moratón (bruise (common in Spain))
  • cardenal (bruise (more poetic or old-fashioned))

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • contusión cerebral – brain contusion
  • sufrir una contusión – to suffer a bruise
  • contusión leve – minor bruise

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: contusión

Question 1 of 3

Which of these is the most informal way to say 'bruise' in Mexico?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
contundente(forceful or blunt) — Adjective
contusionar(to cause a bruise) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
ilusióncanciónpasión
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'contusio', which comes from 'contundere', meaning 'to pound, crush, or beat'.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: contusionFrench: contusion

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'contusión' different from a 'moretón'?

Technically, they describe the same thing, but 'contusión' is a clinical or formal term, while 'moretón' is the everyday word used by native speakers.

Is it 'la contusión' or 'el contusión'?

It is 'la contusión'. Almost all Spanish words ending in '-sión' or '-ción' are feminine.

Can I use 'contusión' for an emotional hurt?

No, 'contusión' is strictly for physical injuries. For emotional pain, you would use words like 'herida' (wound) or 'golpe' (blow/shock).