クリニック
kurinikku[kɯ̟ɾʲiɲ̟ik̚kɯ̟]
The English phrase "clinic" can be translated into Japanese as クリニック (kurinikku) or 医院.
Meaning: medical facility (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| クリニック | kurinikku | [kɯ̟ɾʲiɲ̟ik̚kɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 医院 | iin | [iĩɴ] (narrow) |
These terms refer to a medical facility. While クリニック is a common way to name specific medical facilities, the term 診療所 (shinryōjo) can also be used to refer to a medical office or clinic.
Which one should you use?
クリニック is a loanword from English and is commonly used for modern, specialized or private clinics, frequently appearing in the names of specific medical facilities. In contrast, 医院 is a more traditional term often used to refer to a general medical practice or a small local clinic. Additionally, 診療所 is used specifically to refer to a clinic or medical office in formal or administrative contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
kurinikku
Did you know?
- Many small 医院 are family-run businesses where the doctor's home is located directly above or behind the clinic.
- The word クリニック (kurinikku) is often used in branding to make a medical facility feel more welcoming, modern, and less intimidating to patients than the more clinical-sounding Japanese terms.
- Unlike large hospitals, a クリニック or 医院 usually does not have overnight beds for patients.
Examples in context
- 彼女は高須クリニックに行きました。She went to Takasu clinic.This sentence is useful for seeing how to name a specific medical facility with クリニック.Tatoeba #90084 by bunbuku, translation #313630 by CM
- 手術は医院内で三十分以内に完了します。The surgery, performed at our clinic, is over in half an hour.This sentence demonstrates the use of 医院 when referring to a clinic where surgery is performed.Tatoeba #74601 by fcbond, translation #329119 by fcbond
- これは、実話でありますが、或る婦人がお産のために評判のいい産科医院に入院しました。This is a true story. A woman was admitted to a reputed obstetrics clinic to give birth.This sentence shows how 医院 is used when discussing a woman being admitted to an obstetrics clinic.Tatoeba #1241188 by Scott, translation #1241211 by Scott
- 「クリニック」で歯の治療を受けたい。I want to receive dental treatment at a clinic.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiyori and Yota are talking about a cold.
- 陽葵 Himari風邪をひいたなら、クリニックに行きなよ。Kaze o hiita nara, kurinikku ni ikina yo.If you have a cold, you should go to a clinic.
- 陽太 Yota近くにいいクリニックがあるかな？Chikaku ni ii kurinikku ga aru kana?I wonder if there is a good clinic nearby.
- 陽葵 Himari駅の前に新しいクリニックができたよ。Eki no mae ni atarashii kurinikku ga dekita yo.A new clinic opened in front of the station.
- 陽太 Yotaわかった。今からそこに行ってみるよ。Wakatta. Ima kara soko ni itte miru yo.I see. I will try going there now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clinic” translations and entries クリニック, 医院, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
