Bleu vs. contusion vs. ecchymose
When talking about injuries in French, terms like 'bleu', 'contusion', and 'ecchymose' are often used interchangeably to describe various types of bruising. However, these words have distinct meanings that are important for clarity in both everyday and medical contexts.
Bleu
A common word for a bruise that is usually minor and caused by impact or pressure that damages small blood vessels under the skin.
Il a glissé sur la glace et maintenant il a un gros bleu sur le genou.
(He slipped on the ice and now he has a big bruise on his knee.)
Après la chute, un bleu est apparu très rapidement sur son bras.
(After the fall, a bruise quickly appeared on her arm.)
Contusion
A medical term for a more serious bruise that may involve deeper tissue damage and can be accompanied by swelling and pain.
Le médecin lui a dit que sa douleur au mollet était due à une contusion musculaire suite à sa chute.
(The doctor told him that his calf pain was due to a muscle contusion following his fall.)
Après avoir reçu un coup de ballon, elle souffre d'une légère contusion au visage.
(After being hit by a ball, she has a slight contusion on her face.)
Ecchymose
A medical term that refers to a more spread out bruise, often with a blue or purplish discoloration, resulting from bleeding under the skin. It's similar to 'bleu' but used more formally and often denotes larger areas of bruising.
La chute de vélo a causé une grande ecchymose le long de sa jambe.
(The bike accident caused a large ecchymosis along her leg.)
L'ecchymose sur son bras prenait des teintes de jaune et de vert en guérissant.
(The ecchymosis on his arm was taking on shades of yellow and green as it healed.)
Summary
While 'bleu', 'contusion', and 'ecchymose' can all refer to bruises, the nuances in meaning range from 'bleu' as the most common term for minor bruises, to 'contusion' as a more severe injury involving deep tissues, to 'ecchymose' which indicates a larger, spread-out area of bleeding under the skin. Understanding these differences can aid in precise communication, especially regarding the severity of an injury.