Translation guide
In Japanese, the way you say 'physical examination' depends heavily on context: a routine health check-up at work or school, a medical exam at a hospital, or a specific physical inspection by a doctor. The most common term is 健康診断 (kenkō shindan) for general health check-ups.
A general medical check-up to assess overall health, often done annually at schools or companies.
The standard term for a general health check-up. Often abbreviated to 健診 (けんしん) in casual or workplace contexts.
来月、会社の健康診断があります。
I have a company health check-up next month.
学校で年に一度の健康診断を受けた。
I had an annual physical examination at school.
Abbreviation of 健康診断, very common in everyday speech and workplace settings.
明日は健診があるから、朝ごはんは食べられない。
I have a health check-up tomorrow, so I can't eat breakfast.
A comprehensive, often multi-day health screening, more thorough than a standard check-up. Typically done at hospitals or specialized clinics.
父は毎年人間ドックに入っている。
My father undergoes a thorough physical examination every year.
A physical examination conducted by a physician to diagnose a specific condition or check a particular body part.
Refers to a medical examination by a doctor, usually for a specific symptom or illness. Used in clinical settings.
医師の診察を受けてください。
Please have a physical examination by the doctor.
診察の結果、特に異常はありませんでした。
As a result of the physical examination, there were no particular abnormalities.
Palpation, a hands-on physical examination where the doctor feels the body. A specific medical term.
A physical examination to ensure fitness for sports, travel, or specific activities.
The same term is used for pre-participation physicals, often required by schools or sports clubs.
水泳部に入るには健康診断が必要です。
You need a physical examination to join the swimming club.
健康診断 (kenkō shindan) is a general health screening, often without specific symptoms. 診察 (shinsatsu) is a doctor's examination for a particular health issue. If you say 診察を受ける, it implies you are seeing a doctor about a problem.
In everyday conversation, 健康診断 is frequently shortened to 健診 (kenshin). This is perfectly natural in informal settings.
Literally 'body examination', can refer to a physical exam in medical or forensic contexts. Less common for routine check-ups.
警察が身体検査を行った。
The police conducted a physical examination.
医師が腹部の触診をした。
The doctor performed a physical examination of the abdomen by palpation.
Loanword from English, often used in sports contexts for a medical check to assess fitness.
選手は試合前にメディカルチェックを受ける。
Athletes undergo a physical examination before the match.