Translation guide
The English word "remission" has two main uses: a medical meaning (temporary improvement or disappearance of a disease) and a formal meaning (cancellation or reduction of a debt, penalty, or obligation). This guide focuses on the medical sense, which is the most common for learners, and briefly covers the financial/legal sense.
To describe a period when a disease (especially cancer) becomes less severe or seems to disappear, though it may return.
The standard medical term for remission, used for cancer and other chronic diseases. It implies a temporary or partial improvement, not necessarily a complete cure.
To refer to the act of forgiving or reducing a debt, punishment, or duty, often in legal or religious contexts.
In Japanese, 寛解 (remission) is distinct from 治癒 (cure). 寛解 implies the disease may still be present or could return, while 治癒 means complete recovery. Be careful not to use 寛解 when you mean a permanent cure.
寛解 is the standard medical term for remission, especially in cancer. 小康状態 is a more general term for a temporary lull or stable period in any illness, and can also be used metaphorically for non-medical situations (e.g., a lull in fighting). Use 寛解 for precise medical contexts.
彼の癌は寛解状態にある。
His cancer is in remission.
治療後、病気は寛解した。
After treatment, the disease went into remission.
A more general phrase meaning 'symptoms subside' or 'symptoms calm down'. It can be used in everyday conversation, not limited to cancer.
薬のおかげで症状が治まっている。
Thanks to the medicine, the symptoms are in remission.
Literally 'a lull state', used for a temporary period of calm or stability in a disease. It implies the condition is not worsening but not necessarily improving.
病状は小康状態を保っている。
The condition is maintaining a state of remission.
Literally 'has not recurred'. Used to describe a period without relapse, which can imply remission in context.
今のところ、癌は再発していない。
So far, the cancer has not recurred (is in remission).
The most common word for exemption or remission of an obligation, debt, or penalty. Used in legal, financial, and everyday contexts.
借金の免除を受けた。
I received remission of the debt.
刑の免除が認められた。
Remission of the sentence was granted.
Refers to reduction or partial remission, often of taxes or fees. Implies a decrease rather than full cancellation.
税金の減免措置がある。
There is a tax remission measure.
Used specifically for pardon or remission of a crime or punishment, often by a sovereign or authority. More formal and less common.
国王は囚人に赦免を与えた。
The king granted remission to the prisoner.