自閉症
jiheishō[d͡ʑihe̞ːɕo̞ː]
Autism in Japanese is 自閉症 (jiheishō).
The term refers to the neurological disorder known as autism.
Meaning: neurological disorder (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 自閉症 is a common term, 自閉スペクトラム症 is a more modern and clinically precise term used in medical contexts to mean 'autism spectrum disorder'.
How do you pronounce it?
jiheishō
Did you know?
- In Japanese social media, people may use the term 凸凹 (meaning 'convex and concave') to describe the 'spiky profile' of strengths and weaknesses common in autism.
- Japanese adults with autism may refer to themselves as グレーゾーン (gray zone) if they have autistic traits but lack a formal clinical diagnosis of 自閉症.
- The word 自閉 inside 自閉症 literally means 'closing oneself off' or 'shutting the door' on the outside world.
Examples in context
- 最近、自閉症の研究が進んでいます。Recently, research on autism has been progressing.
- 息子の障害の一つが自閉症だけど、彼は日々成長しています。One of my son's disabilities is autism, but he is growing every day.
- 彼は自閉症の診断を受けました。Kare wa jiheishō no shindan o ukemashita.He received a diagnosis of autism.
- 自閉症についての本を読んでいます。Jiheishō ni tsuite no hon o yonde imasu.I am reading a book about autism.
- 自閉症の子どもをサポートしています。Jiheishō no kodomo o sapōto shite imasu.I am supporting children with autism.
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are talking about a book they are reading.
- 美咲 Misakiこの本は自閉症について書いてあります。Kono hon wa jiheishou ni tsuite kaite arimasu.This book is written about autism.
- 蓮 Renへえ、面白そうな本だね。Hee, omoshirosou na hon da ne.Oh, that sounds like an interesting book.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮くんも読んでみる？Ren-kun mo yonde miru?Do you want to read it too, Ren?
- 蓮 Renうん、ぜひ貸して。Un, zehi kashite.Yes, please lend it to me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “autism” translations and entries 自閉症, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 自閉症, CC BY-SA 4.0.
