# Medical Japanese: Japanese Medical Terminology and Phrases Guide
> How to talk to doctors in Japan? Learn essential medical Japanese vocabulary for doctor visits, describing symptoms, and more in Japan.
**URL:** https://migaku.com/blog/japanese/medical-japanese
**Last Updated:** 2026-01-25
**Tags:** fundamentals, vocabulary, phrases
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Getting sick or injured while [travel](https://migaku.com/blog/japanese/japanese-travel-phrases)ing in Japan can be stressful, especially if you don't speak the language. Even if you're living there long-term, medical situations require specific vocabulary you probably didn't learn in your [beginner Japanese course](https://migaku.com/learn-japanese). This guide covers the essential medical [Japanese vocabulary](https://migaku.com/blog/japanese/japanese-spaced-repetition) and phrases you'll actually use in clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies across Japan.

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## Basic medical terminology you'll hear everywhere
Let's start with some fundamental terms you'll encounter in any healthcare setting in Japan. 

- **Byouin** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="病院[びょういん;h]"></typo>) means hospital, while **isha** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="医者[いしゃ;h]"></typo>) or **sensei** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="先生[せんせい;n3]"></typo>) both refer to doctor. You'll almost always address your doctor as sensei, which literally means teacher but is the respectful term for medical professionals.
- **Kango-shi** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="看護師[かんごし;n3]"></typo>) means nurse.
- **Yakuzai-shi** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="薬剤師[やくざいし;n3]"></typo>) is a pharmacist.
- The word **kenko** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="健康[けんこう;h]"></typo>) means health or healthy. You'll see this term everywhere in Japan, from health insurance cards to wellness programs. When someone asks if you're healthy, they might say "Kenko desu ka?" (<typo lang="ja" syntax="健康[けんこう;h] です[;a] か"></typo>？).
- **Kusuri** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="薬[くすり;h]"></typo>) is the general word for medicine or medication. If someone asks "What is Med in Japanese?", they're probably looking for this term.
- The pharmacy itself is called **yakkyoku** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="薬局[やっきょく;h]"></typo>) or sometimes **doraggu sutoa** (ドラッグストア) for drugstores that sell over-the-counter products.
- **Byouki** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="病気[びょうき;h]"></typo>) means illness or disease, while **kega** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="怪我[けが;o]"></typo>) specifically refers to an injury. Knowing the difference helps you explain what brought you to the clinic.

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## Describing symptoms and common ailments
When you visit a doctor, you need to explain what's wrong. Here are the most common symptoms and how to describe them.

- **Itai** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="痛[いた;k2]い"></typo>) means painful or hurts. You'll use this constantly. Point to where it hurts and say "Koko ga itai desu" (<typo lang="ja" syntax="ここ[;h] が 痛[いた;k2]い です[;a]"></typo>) which means "It hurts here." 

For specific pain-related terms: the pattern here is body part plus **tsuu** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="痛[つう,いたい;k2]"></typo>) for pain.

- **Zutsuu** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="頭痛[ずつう;h]"></typo>) is headache,
- **fukutsuu** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="腹痛[はらいた;h]"></typo>) is stomach pain,
- and **shitsuu** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="歯痛[しつう;h]"></typo>) is toothache. 

**Netsu** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="熱[ねつ;o]"></typo>) means fever. If you have a fever, say "Netsu ga arimasu" (<typo lang="ja" syntax="熱[ねつ;o] が あり[,ある;k1]ます"></typo>). Doctors will ask "Netsu wa arimasu ka?" (<typo lang="ja" syntax="熱[ねつ;o] は あり[,ある;k1]ます か"></typo>？) which means "Do you have a fever?"

**Seki** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="咳[せき;o]"></typo>) is cough, **kusyami** (くしゃみ) is sneeze, and **hanamizu** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="鼻水[はなみず;h,n3]"></typo>) is runny nose. During cold and flu season, you'll hear these terms everywhere.

**Hakike** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="吐き気[はきけ;o]"></typo>) means nausea, while **geri** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="下痢[げり;h]"></typo>) is diarrhea and **benpi** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="便秘[べんぴ;h,a]"></typo>) is constipation. Yeah, not pleasant topics, but you need these words when you're sick.

**Kizu** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="傷[きず;h]"></typo>) refers to a cut or wound, **uchimi** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="打ち身[うちみ;o]"></typo>) is a bruise, and **yakedo** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="火傷[かしょう;h]"></typo>) means burn. For allergic reactions, use **arerugi** (アレルギー).

The doctor will often ask "Hoka ni shoujou wa arimasu ka?" (<typo lang="ja" syntax="他[た;o] に 症状[しょうじょう;n3,h] は あり[,ある;k1]ます か"></typo>？) which means "Do you have any other symptoms?" The word **shoujou** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="症状[しょうじょう;n3,h]"></typo>) means symptom, and this is one of those questions you should recognize immediately.

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## Body parts and anatomy terms
You need to know [body parts](https://migaku.com/blog/japanese/japanese-body-parts) to explain where something hurts or what's bothering you.

- **For face**: **Atama** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="頭[あたま;o,n2]"></typo>) is head, **kao** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="顔[かお;h]"></typo>) is face, **me** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="目[め;o]"></typo>) is eye, **mimi** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="耳[みみ;o]"></typo>) is ear, **hana** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="鼻[はな;h]"></typo>) is nose, and **kuchi** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="口[くち;h]"></typo>) is mouth. **Ha** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="歯[は;o]"></typo>) means tooth or teeth.
- **For main body parts**: **Kubi** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="首[くび;h]"></typo>) is neck, **kata** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="肩[かた;a]"></typo>) is shoulder, **ude** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="腕[うで;o]"></typo>) is arm, and **te** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="手[て;o]"></typo>) is hand. **Yubi** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="指[ゆび;o]"></typo>) means finger, though it can also mean toe depending on context.
- **For body chunk**: **Mune** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="胸[むね;o]"></typo>) is chest, **onaka** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="お腹[おなか;h]"></typo>) is stomach or belly, and **senaka** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="背中[せなか;h]"></typo>) is back. **Koshi** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="腰[こし;h]"></typo>) specifically refers to the lower back or waist area.
- **For legs and feet**: **Ashi** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="足[あし;o]"></typo>) is tricky because it can mean either leg or foot. If you need to be specific, **momo** (もも) is thigh, **hiza** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="膝[ひざ;h]"></typo>) is knee, and **ashikubi** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="足首[あしくび;n2,n3]"></typo>) is ankle.
- **Internal organs matter too**: **Shinzou** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="心臓[しんぞう;h]"></typo>) is heart, **hai** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="肺[はい;h]"></typo>) is lung, **i** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="胃[い;h]"></typo>) is stomach (The organ), and **kan-zou** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="肝臓[かんぞう;h]"></typo>) is liver.

<img src="https://migaku-cms-assets.migaku.com/Screenshot_2026_01_26_112548_b0c59e9ed1/Screenshot_2026_01_26_112548_b0c59e9ed1.png" width="477" height="661" alt="Japanese words for body parts" />

---
## Hospital departments and medical specialists
Japanese hospitals are usually well-organized by department. Knowing these terms helps you find the right specialist.

- **Naika** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="内科[ないか;h,a]"></typo>) is internal medicine, the general clinic you'd visit for most illnesses.
- **Geka** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="外科[げか;h]"></typo>) is surgery or surgical department.
- **Seikei-geka** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="整形[せいけい;h] 外科[げか;h]"></typo>) is orthopedics, where you'd go for bone and joint issues.
- **Hifuka** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="皮膚科[ひふか;h]"></typo>) is dermatology for skin problems.
- **Ganka** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="眼科[がんか;h,a]"></typo>) is ophthalmology for eye issues.
- **Jibiin-ka** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="耳鼻咽喉科[じびいんこうか;h]"></typo>) is ear, nose, and throat (ENT).
- **Shika** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="歯科[しか;a,o]"></typo>) is dentistry.
- **Sanka** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="産科[さんか;h]"></typo>) is obstetrics
- **Fujin-ka** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="婦人科[ふじんか;h]"></typo>) is gynecology. Often these are combined as **sanfujin-ka** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="産婦人科[さんふじんか;h]"></typo>).
- **Shouni-ka** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="小児科[しょうにか;h]"></typo>) is pediatrics for children.
- **Seishin-ka** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="精神科[せいしんか;h]"></typo>) is psychiatry.

The reception desk is called **uketsuke** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="受付[うけつけ;h]"></typo>), and you'll check in there first. They'll ask for your **hokenshou** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="保険[ほけん;h] 証[しょう]"></typo>), which is your health insurance card.

---
## Common diagnostic tests and medical procedures
Understanding what tests the doctor is ordering makes the whole experience less intimidating.

- **Kensa** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="検査[けんさ;a]"></typo>) is the general word for medical test or examination. **Ketsueki-kensa** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="血液検査[けつえきけんさ;n5]"></typo>) is a blood test. The nurse might say "Ketsueki wo torimasu" (<typo lang="ja" syntax="血液[けつえき;n2] を 取[と,とる;k1]ります"></typo>), meaning "I'll take your blood."
- **Rentogen** (レントゲン) or **ekkusu-sen** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="エックス線[えっくすせん;h]"></typo>) both refer to X-rays. **Shii-tii** (CT) and **emu-aru-ai** (MRI) are used just like in English, borrowed directly.
- **Chou-onpa** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="超音波[ちょうおんぱ;n3]"></typo>) is ultrasound.
- **Nyou-kensa** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="尿検査[にょうけんさ;n3]"></typo>) means urine test.
- **Shindan** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="診断[しんだん;h]"></typo>) means diagnosis. After examining you, the doctor will explain the **shindan kekka** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="診断[しんだん;h] 結果[けっか;h]"></typo>), the diagnostic results.
- **Shujutsu** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="手術[しゅじゅつ;a]"></typo>) is surgery or operation.
- **Nyuuin** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="入院[にゅういん;h]"></typo>) means hospitalization or being admitted, while **taiin** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="退院[たいいん;h]"></typo>) means discharge from the hospital.
- **Chuusha** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="注射[ちゅうしゃ;h]"></typo>) is injection or shot.
- **Wakuchin** (ワクチン) is vaccine, borrowed from German via English.

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## Pharmacy and medication instructions
After your appointment, you'll take your prescription to the pharmacy. Here's what you need to know.

**Shohousen** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="処方箋[しょほうせん;h]"></typo>) is the prescription itself. Hand this to the pharmacist at the **yakkyoku** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="薬局[やっきょく;h]"></typo>).

The pharmacist will explain how to take your medication. Ichinichi ni sankai (<typo lang="ja" syntax="一[いち;o] 日[にち] に 三[さん;h] 回[かい;a]"></typo>) means three times a day. **Shokugo** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="食後[しょくご;h]"></typo>) means after meals, while **shokuzen** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="食前[しょくぜん;h]"></typo>) means before meals. **Shokukan** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="食間[しょっかん;h]"></typo>) means between meals.

**Ichijou** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="一[いち;o] 錠[じょう;h]"></typo>) means one tablet or pill. So "Shokugo ni ichijou" (<typo lang="ja" syntax="食後[しょくご;h] に 一[いち;o] 錠[じょう;h]"></typo>) means "One tablet after meals."

**Nuru** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="塗[ぬ;h]る"></typo>) means to apply (For creams or ointments). **Nurigusuri** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="塗り薬[ぬりぐすり;n3]"></typo>) is topical medicine.

**Fukusayou** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="副作用[ふくさよう;n3]"></typo>) means side effects. The pharmacist might warn you about potential **fukusayou** by saying "Fukusayou ga deru kamo shiremasen" (<typo lang="ja" syntax="副作用[ふくさよう;n3] が 出[で;k1]る かも[;a] しれ[,しれる]ません"></typo>), meaning "Side effects might occur."

**Namae** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="名前[なまえ;h]"></typo>) is name, **jusho** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="住所[じゅうしょ;a]"></typo>) is address, and **denwa-bangou** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="電話番号[でんわばんごう;n4]"></typo>) is phone number. You'll need to provide these when registering.

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## Emergency situations and urgent care
Hopefully you won't need these, but emergency phrases are critical to know.

- **Kyuukyuu** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="救急[きゅうきゅう;h]"></typo>) means emergency.
- **Kyuukyuu-sha** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="救急[きゅうきゅう;h] 車[しゃ]"></typo>) is ambulance. To call an ambulance, dial 119 in Japan (Different from the US!) and say "Kyuukyuu-sha wo onegai shimasu" (<typo lang="ja" syntax="救急[きゅうきゅう;h] 車[しゃ] を お願[おねが;h]い し[,する;h]ます"></typo>).
- **Kyuukyuu-gairai** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="救急[きゅうきゅう;h] 外来[がいらい;h]"></typo>) or **kyuukyuu-shitsu** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="救急[きゅうきゅう;h] 室[しつ;o]"></typo>) is the emergency room.
- **Kiken** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="危険[きけん;h]"></typo>) means danger or dangerous.
- **Juu-tai** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="重体[じゅうたい;h]"></typo>) means critical condition.

"Tasukete!" (<typo lang="ja" syntax="助[たす,すける]けて"></typo>！) means "Help!" **Dareka** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="誰[だれ;a] か"></typo>) means someone, so "Dareka tasukete!" (<typo lang="ja" syntax="誰[だれ;a] か 助[たす,すける]けて"></typo>！) is "Someone help!"

"Isha wo yonde kudasai" (<typo lang="ja" syntax="医者[いしゃ;h] を 呼[よ,よぶ;h]んで ください[,くださる;k3]"></typo>) means "Please call a doctor."

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## Essential doctor-patient dialogue phrases
These conversational phrases will help you communicate during your appointment.

When you first sit down, the doctor will likely ask "Dou shimashita ka?" (どうしましたか？) which means "What's wrong?" or "What brings you in today?"

You can respond with "Onaka ga itai desu" (<typo lang="ja" syntax="お腹[おなか;h] が 痛[いた;k2]い です[;a]"></typo>) for "My stomach hurts" or whatever your issue is.

The doctor might ask "Itsu kara desu ka?" (いつからですか？) meaning "Since when?" or "When did this start?" You could answer "Kinou kara desu" (<typo lang="ja" syntax="昨日[きのう;h] から[;a] です[;a]"></typo>) for "Since yesterday" or "Mikka mae kara desu" (<typo lang="ja" syntax="三[みっ;h] 日[か] 前[まえ;a] から[;a] です[;a]"></typo>) for "Since three days ago."

"Undou shimasu ka?" (<typo lang="ja" syntax="運動[うんどう;h] し[,する;h]ます か"></typo>？) means "Do you exercise?" This comes up often in routine checkups. The word undou (<typo lang="ja" syntax="運動[うんどう;h]"></typo>) means exercise or physical activity.

"Undou shite mo ii desu ka?" (<typo lang="ja" syntax="運動[うんどう;h] し[,する;h]て も いい[;k1] です[;a] か"></typo>？) means "Is it okay to exercise?" You might ask this if you're recovering from an injury or illness.

"Arerugi wa arimasu ka?" (アレルギーはありますか？) asks if you have any allergies. This is important for prescribing medication.

"Kusuri wo nonde imasu ka?" (<typo lang="ja" syntax="薬[くすり;h] を 飲[の,のむ;k1]んで い[,いる;h]ます か"></typo>？) means "Are you taking any medication?" The verb nomu (<typo lang="ja" syntax="飲[の;k1]む"></typo>) literally means to drink but is used for taking pills.

When the doctor gives instructions, you'll hear "Kore wo nonde kudasai" (<typo lang="ja" syntax="これ[;a] を 飲[の,のむ;k1]んで ください[,くださる;k3]"></typo>) meaning "Please take this medicine."

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## Cultural context for healthcare in Japan
The Japanese healthcare system works differently than what you might be used to. Most clinics and hospitals require you to fill out a **monshin-hyou** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="問診[もんしん;h] 票[ひょう;h]"></typo>), a medical questionnaire, before seeing the doctor.

Appointments are called **yoyaku** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="予約[よやく;h]"></typo>). Some clinics take walk-ins, but many require **yoyaku** in advance. You can ask "Yoyaku ga hitsuyou desu ka?" (<typo lang="ja" syntax="予約[よやく;h] が 必要[ひつよう;h] です[;a] か"></typo>？) meaning "Is an appointment necessary?"

Payment happens after your visit. The phrase "Okaikei onegai shimasu" (<typo lang="ja" syntax="お 会計[かいけい;h] お願[おねが;h]い し[,する;h]ます"></typo>) means "Check please" or "I'd like to pay." **Ryoushuusho** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="領収書[りょうしゅうしょ;h,o]"></typo>) is the receipt, which you'll need for insurance reimbursement if you're a foreigner using travel insurance.

Japanese doctors tend to be more conservative with treatment compared to Western providers. They often prescribe smaller doses and prefer monitoring over aggressive intervention.

Many hospitals have **kokusai-shinryou** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="国際[こくさい;h] 診療[しんりょう;h]"></typo>) or international clinics with English-speaking staff, particularly in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka. These are helpful but usually more expensive.

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## Practical tips for medical situations in Japan
1. Keep a written list of your medications with both generic and brand names in English and Japanese if possible. The word **jouyou** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="常用[じょうよう;h]"></typo>) means regular use, so **jouyou-yakuhin** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="常用[じょうよう;h] 薬品[やくひん;h]"></typo>) refers to medications you take regularly.
2. If you have chronic conditions, learn how to say them in Japanese. **Tounyou-byou** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="糖尿病[とうにょうびょう;h]"></typo>) is diabetes, **kouketsuatsu** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="高血圧[こうけつあつ;n4,n3]"></typo>) is high blood pressure, and **zensoku** (<typo lang="ja" syntax="喘息[ぜんそく;h]"></typo>) is asthma.
3. Google Translate works in a pinch, but medical terminology can be tricky. The app sometimes mistranslates symptoms or gives overly formal phrasings that sound unnatural.
4. Many Japanese people are shy about their English, even if they understand it. Speaking slowly and using simple Japanese phrases, even imperfectly, often gets better results than immediately switching to English.
5. Pointing and gestures help tremendously. Don't be afraid to point at body parts or use your phone to show pictures if you're struggling to explain something.

---
## Learning medical Japanese effectively
Medical vocabulary is specialized, so standard Japanese courses won't cover much of it. You need targeted study if you're planning to live in Japan or work in healthcare there.

1. [Flashcards](https://migaku.com/blog/japanese/kanji-flashcards-strategies-that-work) work well for memorizing body parts and common symptoms. Group them by category rather than trying to learn everything alphabetically.
2. Watching Japanese medical dramas gives you context for how these terms are actually used. Shows like "Doctor X" or "Code Blue" use realistic medical Japanese, though they're obviously dramatized.
3. If you're serious about medical Japanese, [textbooks](https://migaku.com/blog/japanese/best-japanese-textbooks) like "Japanese for Healthcare Professionals" provide structured lessons with dialogues and exercises. They're designed for healthcare providers working in Japan but are useful for anyone who needs deeper medical vocabulary.
4. Practice describing your own medical history in Japanese. Write out your allergies, medications, and any chronic conditions. This preparation makes real medical situations way less stressful.

Anyway, if you want to build your Japanese vocabulary for medical situations or any other topic, Migaku's browser extension and app let you look up words instantly while watching Japanese shows or reading articles online. You can save words directly to flashcard decks and learn them in context. There's a 10-day free trial if you want to check it out.

<img src="https://migaku-cms-assets.migaku.com/3_screens_purple_12_41e64842a6/3_screens_purple_12_41e64842a6.png" width="1620" height="1000" alt="Learn medical terms with Migaku" />

<prose-button href="/learn-japanese" text="Learn Japanese with Migaku"></prose-button>

---
## Are you ready to learn specialized Japanese vocabulary?
Language learning is a marathon, not a sprint. Even if you want to jump ahead and learn specialized terms that can help with your career, you still need to know the grammar rules and other vocabulary to support your communication. View specialized learning as your final 100 meter in Japanese learning, and use media to help you get there!

> If you consume media in Japanese, and you understand at least some of the messages and sentences within that media, you will make progress. _Period_.

But if you plan to go to Japan soon, basic medical terms always come in handy!