Translation guide
Edema refers to swelling caused by fluid retention in body tissues. In Japanese, the most common and general term is むくみ (mukumi), used in everyday conversation. Medical contexts use 浮腫 (fushu), while 水腫 (suishu) is more technical and less common.
To describe everyday swelling, such as in the face, legs, or feet, often due to fatigue, salt intake, or prolonged standing.
The most common and natural word for swelling or puffiness in daily life. Used for temporary, non-medical swelling.
朝、顔がむくんでいる。
My face is swollen in the morning.
長時間立っていたら足がむくんだ。
My legs swelled up after standing for a long time.
The formal medical term for edema. Used by doctors and in medical documents. Not typically used in casual conversation.
医者に浮腫があると言われた。
The doctor told me I have edema.
A technical term for edema, specifically referring to fluid accumulation. Rarely used outside specialized medical contexts.
水腫は組織に水がたまる状態です。
Edema is a condition where fluid accumulates in tissues.
To refer to edema as a diagnosed medical condition, often associated with heart, kidney, or liver problems.
The standard medical term for edema as a pathological condition.
心不全の症状として浮腫が現れることがあります。
Edema can appear as a symptom of heart failure.
Used when describing symptoms of swelling in a more accessible way, even in medical contexts.
むくみの症状が続く場合は病院に行ってください。
If the swelling persists, please go to the hospital.
To describe swelling caused by a sprain, bruise, or other injury.
The general word for swelling from injury or inflammation. Note: むくみ is for fluid retention, while 腫れ is for inflammatory swelling.
足首を捻挫して腫れてしまった。
I sprained my ankle and it swelled up.
Can sometimes be used for injury-related swelling, but 腫れ is more precise for inflammation.
Using むくみ for injury swelling may sound slightly off; 腫れ is preferred.
むくみ (mukumi) refers to swelling from fluid retention, often temporary and related to lifestyle factors. 腫れ (hare) refers to swelling from inflammation, injury, or infection. Use むくみ for puffy face in the morning; use 腫れ for a swollen ankle after a sprain.
塩分の取りすぎでむくみが出た。
I got swelling from too much salt.
虫に刺されて腫れた。
I was bitten by a bug and it swelled up.
The place I hit is swollen.