How to Say "Agoraphobia" in Japanese

広場恐怖症

hiroba kyōfushō[çiɾo̞ba̠ kʲo̞ːɸɯ̟̊ɕo̞ː]

The English phrase agoraphobia is 広場恐怖症 (hiroba kyōfushō) in Japanese.

The term refers to the fear of open spaces.

Meaning: fear of open spaces (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

広場恐怖症 is composed of 広場 (hiroba) meaning 'open space' or 'plaza', 恐怖 (kyōfu) meaning 'fear' and 症 (shō) meaning 'syndrome' or 'condition'.

hiroba kyōfushō

Despite its meaning of 'open space', the word 広場 is used in Japanese to describe the 'plaza' in digital interfaces, such as a community hub in a video game.
The term 広場恐怖症 is a direct translation of the Greek-derived English word, reflecting how Japanese medical terminology often adopts Western concepts through 'calques'.
The word 恐怖 for 'fear' is often used in Japanese titles for horror movies and thrillers, giving it a more visceral and cinematic connotation than the clinical English term.

私の友人は広場恐怖症です。
My friend has agoraphobia.
最近、外に出ることが怖くなってきた。
Lately, I've become scared of going outside.
彼は広場恐怖症を抱えています。
Kare wa hiroba kyoufushou o kakaete imasu.
He suffers from agoraphobia.
広場恐怖症はとても辛い症状です。
Hiroba kyoufushou wa totemo tsurai shoujou desu.
Agoraphobia is a very difficult symptom.
広場恐怖症の治療には通院が必要です。
Hiroba kyoufushou no chiryou ni wa tsuuin ga hitsuyou desu.
Treatment for agoraphobia requires visiting a clinic.

A male friend asks a female friend about her brother's condition.

陽葵 Himari

お兄さんは最近どうですか？
Oniisan wa saikin dou desu ka?
How is your brother doing lately?
大翔 Hiroto

広場恐怖症の症状が悪化しています。
Hiroba kyoufushou no shoujou ga akka shite imasu.
His agoraphobia symptoms have worsened.
陽葵 Himari

それは心配ですね。
Sore wa shinpai desu ne.
That is worrying.
大翔 Hiroto

はい、とても心配です。
Hai, totemo shinpai desu.
Yes, I am very worried.

Sources

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