Translation guide
The English word 'sufferer' refers to someone who experiences pain, illness, or hardship. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent; the best translation depends on what the person is suffering from. Common approaches include using compound nouns with 患者 (patient), 被害者 (victim), or descriptive phrases.
To refer to someone who has a specific illness or chronic condition.
General term for a patient or someone with a medical condition. Combine with the disease name (e.g., がん患者 = cancer sufferer).
彼は長年、がん患者として闘病生活を送っている。
He has been living as a cancer sufferer for many years.
Descriptive phrase meaning 'a person suffering from ~'. More formal/literary than 患者.
心臓病を患っている人は、この薬が使えます。
People suffering from heart disease can use this medicine.
To refer to someone who has been harmed by an external event or circumstance.
Standard term for 'victim' of a crime, accident, disaster, etc. Often used in news reports.
地震の被害者たちは避難所で生活している。
The earthquake sufferers are living in evacuation shelters.
Descriptive phrase meaning 'people suffering from ~'. Suitable for broader hardships like poverty or discrimination.
貧困に苦しむ人々を支援する団体です。
It's an organization that supports people suffering from poverty.
To refer to someone experiencing mental anguish, grief, or trauma.
Common phrase for someone troubled by a specific worry or mental health issue.
うつ病に悩む人は、専門家に相談してください。
People suffering from depression should consult a specialist.
More empathetic phrase for someone with a mental illness, literally 'a person carrying a heart illness'.
心の病を抱える人への理解が必要です。
We need understanding for people suffering from mental illness.
To refer to someone with a specific allergy or non-life-threatening condition in everyday conversation.
Casual suffix meaning 'person with ~'. Used for allergies, chronic conditions, or personality traits. E.g., 花粉症持ち (hay fever sufferer).
私は花粉症持ちだから、春はつらい。
I'm a hay fever sufferer, so spring is tough.
English often uses 'sufferer' as a standalone noun (e.g., 'allergy sufferer'), but Japanese almost always requires specifying the condition or using a compound. Avoid trying to translate 'sufferer' in isolation.
患者 is for medical patients or those with diseases. 被害者 is for victims of external events (crimes, accidents, disasters). Do not mix them up: a 'cancer sufferer' is がん患者, not がん被害者.