Dealing with health issues in a foreign country can be a daunting experience, especially with a language barrier. Japan has one of the world’s most efficient and accessible healthcare systems, but knowing how to communicate your symptoms and navigate the process is crucial. Understanding the key Japanese phrases for your health will not only ensure you get the care you need but also provide peace of mind during a stressful time.

This comprehensive guide provides all the essential Japanese you need for health-related situations. We will cover how to explain that you’re feeling unwell, describe specific symptoms, understand the healthcare system, and navigate clinics, hospitals, and emergencies. Each section will give you the language you need and explain how the system works, empowering you to manage your health in Japan with confidence.

 

Chapter 1: Japan’s Healthcare System (日本の医療制度)

Japan has a universal healthcare system. All residents, including foreign residents staying longer than three months, are required to enroll in a public health insurance plan, either the National Health Insurance (国民健康保険, Kokumin Kenkō Hoken) or an employee-based plan. This insurance covers about 70% of medical costs, with the patient paying the remaining 30% at the time of service. For non-emergencies, you first visit a local clinic (クリニック, kurinikku) that specializes in your symptoms. Hospitals (病院, byōin) are for emergencies or for when you have a referral from a clinic. After seeing a doctor, you will receive a prescription (処方箋, shohōsen), which you take to a separate pharmacy (薬局, yakkyoku) to get your medicine.

— Key System Vocabulary —
健康保険証 (けんこうほけんしょう, Kenkō Hoken-shō) – Health Insurance Card
病院 (びょういん, Byōin) – Hospital
クリニック/診療所 (くりにっく/しんりょうじょ, Kurinikku/Shinryōjo) – Clinic
医者 (いしゃ, Isha) – Doctor
看護師 (かんごし, Kangoshi) – Nurse
薬局 (やっきょく, Yakkyoku) – Pharmacy
薬 (くすり, Kusuri) – Medicine
処方箋 (しょほうせん, Shohōsen) – Prescription

 

Chapter 2: I Don’t Feel Well (具合が悪いです)

The first step in getting help is communicating that something is wrong. There are a few general phrases that can convey you are unwell. These are useful when you need to inform someone at work, school, or when you first arrive at a clinic. After stating the general problem, you can then move on to more specific symptoms.

General Phrases for Feeling Unwell

— Describing Your Condition —
具合が悪いです。
ぐあいがわるいです。
Guai ga warui desu.
I don’t feel well. (A general statement about your physical condition)

具合 (guai) = Condition, state
が (ga) = Subject marker
悪いです (warui desu) = Is bad

気分が悪いです。
きぶんがわるいです。
Kibun ga warui desu.
I feel sick. (Often implies nausea or dizziness)

気分 (kibun) = Feeling, mood

ちょっと体調が悪いです。
ちょっとたいちょうがわるいです。
Chotto taichō ga warui desu.
I’m feeling a little under the weather.

ちょっと (chotto) = A little
体調 (taichō) = Physical condition

Chapter 3: Common Symptoms (一般的な症状)

Being able to describe your specific symptoms is vital for getting an accurate diagnosis. Learn the words for common ailments and body parts. You can often describe a symptom by saying the body part followed by が痛いです (ga itai desu) for “hurts,” or by using specific symptom nouns with です (desu).

— Describing Symptoms —
熱があります。
ねつがあります。
Netsu ga arimasu.
I have a fever.

熱 (netsu) = Fever
があります (ga arimasu) = I have

頭が痛いです。
あたまがいたいです。
Atama ga itai desu.
I have a headache. / My head hurts.

頭 (atama) = Head
が (ga) = Subject marker
痛いです (itai desu) = Is painful

風邪をひきました。
かぜをひきました。
Kaze o hikimashita.
I’ve caught a cold.

風邪 (kaze) = A cold
をひきました (o hikimashita) = Caught (past tense)

吐き気がします。
はきけがします。
Hakike ga shimasu.
I feel nauseous. / I feel like vomiting.

吐き気 (hakike) = Nausea
がします (ga shimasu) = I feel / I have a sensation of

— Essential Symptom Vocabulary —
頭痛 (ずつう, Zutsū) – Headache
腹痛 (ふくつう, Fukutsū) – Stomachache
咳 (せき, Seki) – Cough
喉の痛み (のどのいたみ, Nodo no itami) – Sore throat
鼻水 (はなみず, Hanamizu) – Runny nose
下痢 (げり, Geri) – Diarrhea
めまい (めまい, Memai) – Dizziness
寒気 (さむけ, Samuke) – Chills
怪我 (けが, Kega) – Injury
アレルギー (アレルギー, Arerugī) – Allergy

 

Chapter 4: At the Clinic (クリニックで)

For most common illnesses, you should visit a local clinic. There are specialized clinics for different fields, such as internal medicine (内科, naika), dermatology (皮膚科, hifuka), or ear, nose, and throat (耳鼻科, jibika). When you arrive, you’ll first go to the reception desk (受付, uketsuke). You will be asked for your health insurance card and to fill out a medical questionnaire (問診票, monshinhyō) about your symptoms and medical history. Then you wait to be called to see the doctor.

— At Reception & with the Doctor —
初めてです。
はじめてです。
Hajimete desu.
This is my first time here.

初めて (hajimete) = First time

保険証をお願いします。
ほけんしょうをおねがいします。
Hokenshō o onegai shimasu.
Your insurance card, please. (A question you will be asked)

保険証 (hokenshō) = Insurance card
お願いします (onegai shimasu) = Please

いつからですか。
いつからですか。
Itsu kara desu ka?
Since when? (The doctor will ask this about your symptoms)

いつから (itsu kara) = From when
ですか (desu ka) = Is it?

— Essential Clinic Vocabulary —
受付 (うけつけ, Uketsuke) – Reception desk
問診票 (もんしんひょう, Monshinhyō) – Medical questionnaire
診察 (しんさつ, Shinsatsu) – Medical examination
内科 (ないか, Naika) – Internal medicine
外科 (げか, Geka) – Surgery
皮膚科 (ひふか, Hifuka) – Dermatology
眼科 (がんか, Ganka) – Ophthalmology/Eye doctor
歯科 (しか, Shika) – Dentistry
予約 (よやく, Yoyaku) – Appointment/Reservation

 

Chapter 5: At the Hospital (病院で)

You generally go to a large hospital (病院, byōin) for two reasons: you have a serious illness or injury that requires specialized care, or you have been referred by a clinic. Many large hospitals will charge an extra fee if you visit without a referral letter (紹介状, shōkaijō) from a clinic. The process is similar to a clinic but on a larger scale. You will register at a main reception, be directed to the correct department, and may undergo more extensive tests or examinations.

— Hospital-Specific Phrases —
紹介状を持っています。
しょうかいじょうをもっています。
Shōkaijō o motte imasu.
I have a referral letter.

紹介状 (shōkaijō) = Referral letter
を持っています (o motte imasu) = I have/am holding

入院が必要ですか。
にゅういんがひつようですか。
Nyūin ga hitsuyō desu ka?
Is hospitalization necessary?

入院 (nyūin) = Hospitalization
が必要ですか (ga hitsuyō desu ka) = Is it necessary?

検査を受けたいです。
けんさをうけたいです。
Kensa o uketai desu.
I would like to have a check-up/examination.

検査 (kensa) = Examination, test, inspection
を受けたいです (o uketai desu) = I want to receive

 

Chapter 6: In an Emergency (救急の場合)

For a serious, life-threatening emergency, you should call an ambulance. The emergency number in Japan is 119. This number is used for both fire (火事, kaji) and medical emergencies (救急, kyūkyū). When the operator answers, you need to state clearly which service you need. Speak slowly and clearly. The ambulance service is free, but you will have to pay for the medical treatment you receive at the hospital.

— Calling for an Ambulance —
救急車をお願いします。
きゅうきゅうしゃをおねがいします。
Kyūkyūsha o onegai shimasu.
An ambulance, please.

救急車 (kyūkyūsha) = Ambulance
を = Object marker
お願いします (onegai shimasu) = Please

けが人がいます。
けがにんがいます。
Keganin ga imasu.
There is an injured person.

けが人 (keganin) = Injured person
がいます (ga imasu) = There is/are (for people/animals)

住所は…です。
じゅうしょは…です。
Jūsho wa … desu.
The address is…

住所 (jūsho) = Address
は…です (wa … desu) = Is…

 

Chapter 7: At the Pharmacy (薬局で)

After seeing a doctor, you will receive a prescription (処方箋, shohōsen), which you must take to a pharmacy (薬局, yakkyoku) to be filled. The pharmacy is almost always a separate establishment from the clinic or hospital. On your first visit to a new pharmacy, you may be asked to fill out a short questionnaire about your allergies and medical history and whether you have an “Okusuri Techō” (お薬手帳), a personal notebook for tracking your prescription medications.

— Key Pharmacy Phrases —
処方箋をお願いします。
しょほうせんをおねがいします。
Shohōsen o onegai shimasu.
Here is my prescription, please.

処方箋 (shohōsen) = Prescription
お願いします (onegai shimasu) = Please

この薬の飲み方を教えてください。
このくすりののみかたをおしえてください。
Kono kusuri no nomikata o oshiete kudasai.
Please tell me how to take this medicine.

この薬 (kono kusuri) = This medicine
の飲み方 (no nomikata) = Way of taking/drinking
教えてください (oshiete kudasai) = Please tell me

副作用はありますか。
ふくさようはありますか。
Fukusayō wa arimasu ka?
Are there any side effects?

副作用 (fukusayō) = Side effect
はありますか (wa arimasu ka) = Are there any?

— Essential Pharmacy Vocabulary —
薬剤師 (やくざいし, Yakuzaishi) – Pharmacist
食後 (しょくご, Shokugo) – After a meal
食前 (しょくぜん, Shokuzen) – Before a meal
一日三回 (いちにちさんかい, Ichi-nichi san-kai) – Three times a day
錠剤 (じょうざい, Jōzai) – Tablet / Pill
粉薬 (こなぐすり, Konagusuri) – Powdered medicine
お薬手帳 (おくすりてちょう, Okusuri techō) – Medicine notebook

 

Chapter 8: Medical History & Allergies (病歴とアレルギー)

Communicating your medical history, current conditions, and allergies is one of the most important things you can do to ensure safe and effective treatment. You will almost always be asked to provide this information on the medical questionnaire (問診票, monshinhyō) on your first visit. Being prepared with these key phrases is crucial.

— Explaining Your History —
ペニシリンのアレルギーがあります。
ぺにしりんのあれるぎーがあります。
Penishirin no arerugī ga arimasu.
I have a penicillin allergy.

ペニシリン (penishirin) = Penicillin
のアレルギー (no arerugī) = Allergy to
があります (ga arimasu) = I have

持病があります。高血圧です。
じびょうがあります。こうけつあつです。
Jibyō ga arimasu. Kōketsuatsu desu.
I have a chronic condition. It’s high blood pressure.

持病 (jibyō) = Chronic/pre-existing condition
高血圧 (kōketsuatsu) = High blood pressure

— Essential History Vocabulary —
持病 (じびょう, Jibyō) – Chronic illness / pre-existing condition
手術 (しゅじゅつ, Shujutsu) – Surgery
妊娠中 (にんしんちゅう, Ninshin-chū) – Pregnant
授乳中 (じゅにゅうちゅう, Junyū-chū) – Breastfeeding
高血圧 (こうけつあつ, Kōketsuatsu) – High blood pressure
糖尿病 (とうにょうびょう, Tōnyōbyō) – Diabetes
喘息 (ぜんそく, Zensoku) – Asthma

 

Chapter 9: Dental Care (歯科)

Dental care in Japan is high-quality and typically covered by national health insurance for most common procedures. You will visit a dentist (歯医者, haisha) at a dental clinic (歯科クリニック, shika kurinikku). It’s best to make a reservation (予約, yoyaku) in advance, although some clinics may accept walk-ins for emergencies.

— At the Dentist’s Office —
歯が痛いです。
はがいたいです。
Ha ga itai desu.
My tooth hurts.

歯 (ha) = Tooth
が痛いです (ga itai desu) = hurts

詰め物が取れました。
つめものがとれました。
Tsumemono ga toremashita.
My filling came out.

詰め物 (tsumemono) = Filling
が取れました (ga toremashita) = Came off / fell out

— Essential Dental Vocabulary —
歯医者 (はいしゃ, Haisha) – Dentist
虫歯 (むしば, Mushiba) – Cavity
歯茎 (はぐき, Haguki) – Gums
麻酔 (ますい, Masui) – Anesthesia
レントゲン (レントゲン, Rentogen) – X-ray
検診 (けんしん, Kenshin) – Check-up
歯石除去 (しせきじょきょ, Shiseki jokyo) – Plaque/tartar removal (scaling)

 

Chapter 10: Women’s & Children’s Health

This chapter covers the specific vocabulary needed for visiting a gynecologist (婦人科, fujinka) for women’s health concerns and a pediatrician (小児科, shōnika) for children’s health issues. Having these specialized phrases ready can make these visits much less stressful.

Women’s Health (婦人科 – Fujinka)

婦人科の検診を受けたいです。
ふじんかのけんしんをうけたいです。
Fujinka no kenshin o uketai desu.
I would like to have a gynecological check-up.

婦人科 (fujinka) = Gynecology
の検診 (no kenshin) = ‘s check-up
を受けたいです (o uketai desu) = I want to receive

— Women’s Health Vocabulary —
産婦人科 (さんふじんか, Sanfujinka) – Obstetrics and Gynecology
妊娠 (にんしん, Ninshin) – Pregnancy
生理 (せいり, Seiri) – Menstrual period
生理痛 (せいりつう, Seiritsū) – Menstrual pain
定期検診 (ていきけんしん, Teiki kenshin) – Regular check-up

Children’s Health (小児科 – Shōnika)

子供が熱を出しました。
こどもがねつをだしました。
Kodomo ga netsu o dashimashita.
My child has a fever.

子供 (kodomo) = Child
が熱を出しました (ga netsu o dashimashita) = Got a fever

— Children’s Health Vocabulary —
小児科 (しょうにか, Shōnika) – Pediatrics
予防接種 (よぼうせっしゅ, Yobō sesshu) – Vaccination
発疹 (ほっしん, Hosshin) – Rash
嘔吐 (おうと, Ōto) – Vomiting
おむつ (おむつ, Omutsu) – Diaper
母子手帳 (ぼしてちょう, Boshi techō) – Maternal and Child Health Handbook

 

Chapter 11: Buying Over-the-Counter Medicine (市販薬)

For minor issues like a slight cold, headache, or muscle pain, you can buy over-the-counter medicine (市販薬, shihanyaku) at a drugstore (ドラッグストア, doraggusutoa). These stores are found everywhere and stock a wide range of products. If you are unsure what to buy, you can ask the staff or pharmacist for a recommendation.

— At the Drugstore —
頭痛薬はありますか。
ずつうやくはありますか。
Zutsūyaku wa arimasu ka?
Do you have headache medicine?

頭痛薬 (zutsūyaku) = Headache medicine
はありますか (wa arimasu ka) = Do you have?

咳に効く薬をください。
せきにきくくすりをください。
Seki ni kiku kusuri o kudasai.
Please give me medicine that works for a cough.

咳に効く (seki ni kiku) = Effective for a cough
薬 (kusuri) = Medicine
をください (o kudasai) = Please give me

— Essential OTC Vocabulary —
市販薬 (しはんやく, Shihanyaku) – Over-the-counter medicine
痛み止め (いたみどめ, Itamidome) – Painkiller
風邪薬 (かぜぐすり, Kazegusuri) – Cold medicine
胃薬 (いぐすり, Igusuri) – Stomach medicine
目薬 (めぐすり, Megusuri) – Eye drops
湿布 (しっぷ, Shippu) – Medicated patch / compress
消毒液 (しょうどくえき, Shōdokueki) – Antiseptic solution
絆創膏 (ばんそうこう, Bansōkō) – Adhesive bandage

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