Here are some expressions to describe physical conditions. Pain is usually described using the adjective "itai (painful, sore)".
| atama ga itai 頭が痛い | to have a headache |
| ha ga itai 歯が痛い | to have a toothache |
| nodo ga itai のどが痛い | to have a sore throat |
| onaka ga itai おなかが痛い | to have a stomachache |
| seki ga deru せきがでる | to have a cough |
| hana ga deru 鼻がでる | to have a runny nose |
| netsu ga aru 熱がある | to have a fever |
| samuke ga suru 寒気がする | to have a chill |
| karada ga darui 体がだるい | to feel a lack of energy |
| shokuyoku ga nai 食欲がない | to have no appetite |
| memai ga suru めまいがする | to feel dizzy |
| kaze o hiku 風邪をひく | to catch a cold |
When describing your conditions to a doctor, "~n desu" is often added at the end of the sentence. It has an explanatory function. To express "I have a cold," "kaze o hikimashita （風邪をひきました）" or "kaze o hiiteimasu （風邪をひいています）" is used.
| Atama ga itai n desu. 頭が痛いんです｡ | I have a headache. |
| Netsu ga aru n desu. 熱があるんです｡ | I have a fever. |
Here is how to express degrees of pain.
| totemo itai とても痛い | very painful |
| sukoshi itai 少し痛い | a little bit painful |
Onomatopoeic expressionsare also used to express degrees of pain. "Gan gan （がんがん）" or "zuki zuki （ずきずき）" is used to describe headaches. "Zuki zuki （ずきずき）" or "shiku shiku （しくしく）" is used for toothaches and "kiri kiri （きりきり）" or "shiku shiku （しくしく）" for stomachaches.
| gan gan がんがん | pounding headache |
| zuki zuki ずきずき | throbbing pain |
| shiku shiku しくしく | dull pain |
| kiri kiri きりきり | sharp continuous pain |
| hiri hiri ひりひり | burning pain |
| chiku chiku ちくちく | prickly pain |
Useful Vocabulary and Expressions
Here are more useful vocabulary and expressions when you have health problems. There are two types of hospitals: "Iin (private hospitals)" and "sougou-byouin (general hospitals)". A doctor is "isha" and a nurse is "kangofu". Doctors are often called "sensei", the title also used for teachers and professors. In case of an emergency, call 119 for an ambulance (kyuukyuu-sha) or the fire department (shoubou-sho), 110 for the police station (keisatsu).
Hospital Departments
| naika 内科 | internal medicine |
| geka 外科 | surgery |
| shounika 小児科 | pediatrics |
| sanfujinka 産婦人科 | obstetrics and gynecology |
| seikeigeka 整形外科 | orthopedics |
| hifuka 皮膚科 | dermatology |
| hinyoukika 泌尿器科 | urology |
| ganka 眼科 | ophthalmology |
| jibika 耳鼻科 | ear and nose department |
| shika 歯科 | dentistry |
Types of Medicine
| kusuri 薬 | medicine |
| itamidome 痛み止め | painkillers |
| kazegusuri 風邪薬 | cold cures |
| bitaminzai ビタミン剤 | vitamins |
| sanzai 散剤 | powders |
| jouzai 錠剤 | tablets |
Common Phrases Used by a Doctor
| Dou shimashita ka. どうしましたか｡ | What seems to be the problem? |
| Ushiro o muite kudasai. 後ろを向いてください｡ | Turn around, please. |
| Soko ni yoko ni natte kudasai. そこに横になってください｡ | Lie down there, please. |
| Aomuke ni natte kudasai. 仰向けになってください｡ | Lie on your back, please. |
| Utsubuse ni natte kudasai. うつ伏せになってください｡ | Lie face down, please. |
| Kuchi o ookiku akete kudasai. 口を大きく開けてください｡ | Open your mouth wide, please. |
| Chuusha o uchimashou. 注射を打ちましょう｡ | I will give you an injection. |
| Odaiji ni お大事に｡ | Take good care of yourself. |
How to Consult a Doctor
To ask the doctor if you are permitted to do something, the expression "~ mo ii desu ka (May I ~?)" is used. It is combined with the verb "te~form".
| Tabako o sutte mo ii desu ka. 煙草を吸ってもいいですか｡ | Is it all right to smoke? |
| Osake o nonde mo ii desu ka. お酒を飲んでもいいですか｡ | Is it all right to drink alcohol? |
There is no expression in Japanese like "Bless you" when somebody sneezes. In Japan, it is said that if you sneeze, someone is gossiping about you.
When the Japanese measure body temperature (taion), they put the thermometer in their armpit (waki), unlike some countries where people put it in their mouths.
