抗がん剤治療
kōganzaichiryō
The English phrase "chemo" can be translated into Japanese as 抗がん剤治療 (kōganzaichiryō).
抗がん剤治療 is used to describe treatment involving anti-cancer drugs. In medical contexts or formal settings, the term 化学療法 is the standard term for chemotherapy.
Meaning: Translations (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 抗がん剤治療 is composed of 抗がん剤, meaning "anti-cancer drug" and 治療, meaning "treatment".
Which one should you use?
抗がん剤治療 is a common way to describe the treatment. However, 化学療法 is the more formal medical term for chemotherapy. Additionally, in casual conversation, people may refer specifically to the medication itself by using 抗がん剤.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
抗がん剤治療 is a standard way to express the concept, while 化学療法 is the formal medical term. When speaking casually, one might simply use 抗がん剤 to refer to the drug.
How do you pronounce it?
kōganzaichiryō
Did you know?
- To avoid the stigma of cancer, Japanese patients may refer to their chemotherapy sessions simply as 点滴 'drip'. This focuses on the method of administration rather than the nature of the illness.
- The character 抗 in 抗がん剤 means 'to resist' or 'to fight', reflecting a linguistic framing of the medicine as an active combatant against the disease.
- The term 抗がん剤 (kōganzai) literally translates to 'anti-cancer agent', where 剤 (zai) refers to a medicinal substance or preparation, a suffix much more common in Japanese pharmacy than in English.
Examples in context
- 化学療法はがんの治療法の一つです。Chemotherapy is one of the treatments for cancer.
- 抗がん剤治療はとても大変です。kouganzai chiryou wa totemo taihen desu.Chemotherapy is very difficult.
- 来週から抗がん剤治療が始まります。raishuu kara kouganzai chiryou ga hajimarimasu.Chemotherapy will start from next week.
- 抗がん剤治療の副作用はどうですか？kouganzai chiryou no fukusayou wa dou desu ka?How are the side effects of the chemotherapy?
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are talking about a family member's medical treatment.
- 美咲 Misakiお父さんの抗がん剤治療はどうですか？otousan no kouganzai chiryou wa dou desu ka?How is your father's chemotherapy going?
- 健太 Kenta少し体力が落ちています。sukoshi tairyoku ga ochite imasu.He is losing a bit of strength.
- 美咲 Misaki無理をしないでくださいね。muri o shinaide kudasai ne.Please don't overdo it.
- 健太 Kentaありがとうございます。arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you.
