What does it mean word for word?
The term 化学療法 is composed of 化学 (kagaku), meaning 'chemistry' or 'chemical' and 療法 (ryōhō), meaning 'therapy' or 'treatment'.
Which one should you use?
There are several ways to refer to this treatment depending on the context. 化学療法 is the most common and widely recognized term for chemotherapy in Japanese. 抗癌剤療法 is a technical term used by healthcare professionals to refer to the treatment of cancer with anti-cancer drugs, while 抗がん薬治療 is a phrase that emphasizes the use of anti-cancer drugs as part of the treatment process. In colloquial settings, 抗がん剤 can be used as a catch-all term for chemotherapy.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
化学療法 is the formal, medical term used in hospitals and official documents. 抗癌剤療法 is a technical term used by healthcare professionals to refer to the treatment of cancer with anti-cancer drugs.
How do you pronounce it?
kagaku ryōhō
Did you know?
- In Japan, the Kanji 癌 is often replaced by the phonetic script がん in terms like 抗がん剤 to make the diagnosis feel less intimidating and visually harsh for the patient.
- The term 闘病 'fighting a disease' is frequently paired with 化学療法 to frame the medical process as a personal and spiritual battle.
- Because 化学療法 can feel overly clinical, Japanese patients often use the word 点滴 'IV drip' as a euphemism to refer to their chemotherapy sessions in social settings.
Examples in context
- 多くの癌患者は、化学療法のために髪の毛が抜けてしまう。Many cancer patients lose their hair because of the chemotherapy.This sentence shows how the form 化学療法 relates to hair loss in cancer patients.Tatoeba #934605 by thyc244, translation #744557 by darinmex
- 多くのがん患者は化学療法のために髪の毛が抜けてしまう。Many cancer patients lose their hair because of chemotherapy.This sentence also demonstrates the use of 化学療法 regarding hair loss in cancer patients.Tatoeba #992036 by mookeee, translation #992043 by CK
- あなたが化学療法を受けていることは大変だと思います。I understand that undergoing chemotherapy must be tough for you.
- 最近、化学療法の経過はどうですか。How is your chemotherapy treatment progressing recently?
- 化学療法は副作用が強いこともあります。Kagaku ryōhō wa fukusayō ga tsuyoi koto mo arimasu.Chemotherapy can sometimes have strong side effects.
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are talking about a family member's health.
- 結衣 Yuiお父さんの治療はどうなったの？otōsan no chiryō wa dō natta no?What happened with your father's treatment?
- 健太 Kenta来週から化学療法を受けることになったよ。raishū kara kagaku ryōhō o ukeru koto ni natta yo.He's going to start chemotherapy next week.
- 結衣 Yuiそれは大変だね。応援しているよ。sore wa taihen da ne. ōen shite iru yo.That must be tough. I'm rooting for him.
- 健太 Kentaありがとう、結衣。そう言ってもらえて嬉しいよ。arigatō, Yui. sō itte moraete ureshii yo.Thank you, Yui. I'm glad you said that.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
