If you are feeling sick in Japan and do not know what to say to describe your condition in Japanese language, keep reading to learn Japanese phrases and words for some of the most frequent illnesses and symptoms that may require medical attention. Whether you have a headache, runny nose, or allergic reaction, you can use these useful Japanese words and phrases to talk about your health problem.

If you have difficulty communicating in Japanese and would like to use one of the voice translator apps, please check "Japanese Voice Translator / Interpreter Apps". We also have many articles with medical and health information for foreigners in Japan covering health insurance, OTC medicines, hay fever, English speaking pharmacies in Tokyo, and more.

If it is emergency and you would like to ask someone to call an ambulance in Japan, you can say "Kyukyu-sha o yonde kudasai (please call an ambulance)". Remember to express your problem clearly: if the dispatcher understands what's going on, the ambulance will be able to assist you as soon as it arrives. Furthermore, you will receive the most accurate and well-informed counsel possible, based on your specific circumstances. For more information, please check "Medical Emergencies in Japan: How to Communicate in Japanese". For a list of emergency telephone numbers in Japan such as ambulance, police, fire department, and more, please check this article.

Illness and Conditions in Japanese

Here is a list of useful Japanese phrases that will help you describe illnesses and conditions when feeling unwell in Japan.

Having Pain / Feeling Sick

I am feeling sick.
Guai ga warui desu.

Chest pain
Mune ga itai desu.

Headache
Atama ga itai desu.

Stomachache
I ga itai desu.

Lower abdominal pain
Onaka ga itai desu.

Throat pain
Nodo ga itai desu.

Others

Allergic reaction
Arerugi desu.

Feeling dizzy
Memai ga shimasu.

Feeling nauseous
Hakike ga shimasu.

Having a cough
Seki ga demasu.

Having a fever
Netsu ga arimasu.

Having a stuffy nose
Hana ga tsumatte imasu.

Having a runny nose
Hana ga demasu.

Having diarrhea
Geri o shite imasu.

I'm pregnant.
Ninshin shite imasu.

Symptoms in Japanese

Here is a list of useful Japanese words that describe various symptoms.

Bleeding
Shukketsu

Chill
Okan

Constipation
Benpi

Convulsion
Keiren

Cough
Seki

Diabetes
Tou-nyo-byo

Diarrhea
Geri

Dull
Darui

Fever
Netsu 

Hypertension
Kou ketsuatsu

Hypotension
Tei ketsuatsu 

Injured
Kega

Irregular periods
Fusei shukketsu

Itching
Kayui

Nausea
Hakike

Nose bleeding
Hanazi

Numbness
Shibire

Pain
Itai

Palpitation
Douki

Rashes
Shisshin

Pregnancy
Ninshin

Runny nose
Hanamizu

Seizure
Hossa

Shivering
Furue

Spasm
Keiren

Swelling
Hare

Please also refer to "I am sick, I want to see a doctor" from AMDA.

In this article, we have covered some of the most common Japanese phrases and words you can use when feeling unwell in Japan. We also have many other articles that will help you learn Japanese language: "Translating Your Japanese Payslip: Essential Vocabulary", "Best Japanese Learning Apps - from beginners to advanced levels", and more.

Other useful information

・Health Care in Japan

・English-Friendly Hospital Support Services in Japan

・English-Speaking Hospitals in Japan