Translation guide
The English word "illness" refers to a state of being unwell or a specific disease. In Japanese, the most common and versatile word is 病気 (byōki), but other terms like 疾患 (shikkan) for medical contexts and 風邪 (kaze) for a cold are also important. This guide helps learners choose the right word based on context and formality.
To refer to being sick in a general sense, covering both the state and the disease itself.
The most common and versatile word for 'illness' or 'sickness'. Can refer to both the state of being ill and a specific disease. Used in everyday conversation.
彼は病気で学校を休んだ。
He was absent from school due to illness.
病気にならないように気をつけてください。
Please take care not to get sick.
A more literary or formal term for illness, often used in set phrases or when emphasizing the suffering aspect. Can sound dramatic in casual speech.
彼は長い病の末に亡くなった。
He passed away after a long illness.
A formal, technical term for disease or illness, often used in medical or official contexts.
この疾病は予防可能です。
This illness is preventable.
To refer to a specific disease or medical condition, especially in professional or clinical settings.
The standard medical term for 'disease' or 'disorder'. Used by doctors and in health-related contexts. More specific than 病気.
この疾患の治療法はまだ見つかっていない。
A cure for this illness has not yet been found.
生活習慣病は多くの疾患を含みます。
Lifestyle-related diseases include many illnesses.
Can also be used in clinical contexts, but 疾患 is more precise. 病気 is acceptable in less formal medical discussions.
To refer specifically to a cold or common minor respiratory illness.
The word for 'cold' (the illness). Note that 風邪 (かぜ) is different from 風 (かぜ, wind). Used for common cold symptoms.
風邪をひいてしまった。
I caught a cold.
風邪薬を買ってきて。
Please buy some cold medicine.
To refer to mental health conditions or psychological disorders.
The general term for mental illness. Can be used in both medical and everyday contexts, though it may carry some stigma.
彼は精神病で入院している。
He is hospitalized for a mental illness.
A softer, more euphemistic way to say 'mental illness', literally 'illness of the heart/mind'. Common in everyday conversation.
心の病気についてもっと話しやすくなるべきだ。
We should become more comfortable talking about mental illness.
To emphasize the severity or long-term nature of an illness.
Literally 'heavy illness', used to describe a serious or severe illness.
彼は重い病気と闘っている。
He is battling a serious illness.
Medical term for 'chronic illness'. Used in healthcare settings.
糖尿病は慢性疾患の一つです。
Diabetes is one of the chronic illnesses.
病気 (byōki) is the general, everyday word for illness. 疾患 (shikkan) is the clinical term used by medical professionals. 病 (yamai) is more literary and often implies suffering or a long-term condition. Use 病気 in most situations, 疾患 in medical contexts, and 病 in formal or poetic language.
病気の時はゆっくり休んでください。
When you are ill, please rest well.
この疾患は専門医の診断が必要です。
This illness requires a specialist's diagnosis.
風邪 (かぜ) means a cold (illness), while 風 (かぜ) means wind. They are pronounced the same but written differently. Context usually makes it clear, but be careful in writing.
That illness is highly contagious.