Translation guide
A paramedic is a healthcare professional who provides emergency medical care outside of a hospital, often in an ambulance. In Japanese, the closest equivalent is 救急救命士, but the role and system differ from those in English-speaking countries.
The most direct equivalent for a trained emergency medical professional, typically working in an ambulance.
This is the official Japanese term for a paramedic, a nationally certified emergency medical technician who can perform advanced life support under a doctor's instruction.
救急救命士が現場に到着した。
The paramedics arrived at the scene.
彼は救急救命士の資格を持っている。
He is a certified paramedic.
A broader term for ambulance crew members, which may include paramedics and emergency medical technicians with varying levels of training. Often used in news reports.
救急隊員が心肺蘇生を行った。
The ambulance crew performed CPR.
A shortened, colloquial form of 救急救命士. Commonly used in conversation and media.
救命士になりたいんです。
I want to become a paramedic.
A direct loanword from English, sometimes used in international contexts or to refer to paramedics in other countries. Not commonly used for Japanese paramedics.
アメリカのパラメディックは救急救命士より権限が広い。
American paramedics have broader authority than Japanese paramedics.
A more general term for someone who works on an ambulance or provides first aid, without specifying certification level.
As above, this is the standard term for ambulance crew, often used when the exact qualification is unknown or irrelevant.
救急隊員がストレッチャーで患者を運んだ。
The ambulance crew carried the patient on a stretcher.
Literally 'ambulance crew member', a descriptive phrase that can be used when the specific role is unclear.
救急車の隊員が迅速に対応した。
The ambulance crew responded quickly.
A paramedic in a military context, providing emergency care in combat or field conditions.
A military medic or corpsman, responsible for first aid and medical care in the field.
衛生兵が負傷者を治療した。
The medic treated the wounded.
Another term for a combat medic, emphasizing rescue and aid.
救護兵が戦場で活動した。
The combat medic operated on the battlefield.
救急救命士 is a specific national certification requiring extensive training and allows certain medical procedures under a doctor's orders. 救急隊員 is a broader term for any ambulance crew member, which may include 救急救命士 as well as other emergency medical technicians with different qualifications. In everyday conversation, 救急隊員 is more common when the exact role is not important.
救急救命士は気管挿管ができる。
Paramedics can perform tracheal intubation.
救急隊員が到着するまで心臓マッサージを続けてください。
Please continue chest compressions until the ambulance crew arrives.
A paramedic is not a doctor (医師) or nurse (看護師). In Japan, paramedics work under the direction of doctors and cannot independently diagnose or prescribe. Using 医師 or 看護師 when you mean paramedic will cause confusion.