‘烫伤’ (tàng shāng) is a compound noun meaning ‘scald injury’ or ‘thermal burn’ — specifically one caused by hot liquids, steam, or contact with hot surfaces (not fire or electricity). The first character, 烫 (tàng), means ‘to scald’ or ‘to burn with heat’, while 伤 (shāng) means ‘injury’ or ‘harm’. Together, they form a precise medical and everyday term for non-flame-related burns. It is commonly used in health contexts, first-aid instructions, hospital reports, and safety warnings.

This word emphasizes the cause (heat from liquid/steam/surface) and the result (tissue damage). Unlike 烧伤 (shāo shāng), which refers to flame or fire burns, 烫伤 is narrower in scope and often implies milder to moderate injuries — though severity can vary. It appears frequently in household safety discussions, pediatric care (e.g., preventing kitchen scalds), and workplace hazard training in China.