Translation guide
A general term for a decline in cognitive ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. In Japanese, the most common and neutral term is 認知症 (にんちしょう), which has replaced older, now-offensive terms like 痴呆 (ちほう).
The standard, neutral way to refer to dementia in medical and everyday contexts.
The standard modern term for dementia. Used in medical settings, news, and daily conversation. It is neutral and respectful.
祖母は認知症と診断されました。
My grandmother was diagnosed with dementia.
認知症の予防について学ぶ。
Learn about dementia prevention.
An older term for dementia, now considered derogatory and offensive. Avoid using it; it has been officially replaced by 認知症. You may encounter it in older texts.
This term is now considered derogatory. Use 認知症 instead.
かつては痴呆と呼ばれていた。
It used to be called dementia (using the old term).
Referring to particular forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease or vascular dementia.
Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia. Often shortened to アルツハイマー病 or simply アルツハイマー.
父はアルツハイマー型認知症です。
My father has Alzheimer's disease.
Vascular dementia, caused by reduced blood flow to the brain.
血管性認知症は脳卒中後に起こることがあります。
Vascular dementia can occur after a stroke.
Frontotemporal dementia, affecting personality and language.
前頭側頭型認知症は人格変化を引き起こすことがあります。
Frontotemporal dementia can cause personality changes.
Describing symptoms or conditions associated with dementia.
Forgetfulness, a common symptom of dementia. Can be used in everyday conversation.
最近物忘れがひどくなった。
I've been forgetting things a lot lately.
Disorientation, losing track of time, place, or person.
見当識障害により、日付がわからなくなる。
Due to disorientation, one loses track of the date.
Terms related to caring for someone with dementia.
Nursing care, often used in the context of elderly or dementia care.
認知症の母の介護をしています。
I am caring for my mother who has dementia.
A trained supporter who understands dementia and helps those affected in the community.
認知症サポーター養成講座を受講した。
I took a training course to become a dementia supporter.
The term 痴呆 was historically used for dementia but is now considered derogatory and has been officially replaced by 認知症 in medical and public contexts. Using 痴呆 may cause offense.
When discussing dementia in Japanese, it's common to use the term 認知症 directly. Euphemisms are not typically necessary, but sensitivity is appreciated. Phrases like 認知症の方 (person with dementia) are respectful.
Dementia with Lewy bodies, characterized by fluctuations in alertness and visual hallucinations.
レビー小体型認知症では幻視がよく見られます。
Visual hallucinations are common in dementia with Lewy bodies.
Memory impairment, a clinical term for memory loss.
認知症の初期症状として記憶障害が現れる。
Memory impairment appears as an early symptom of dementia.