Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 病気 | byōki | [bʲo̞ːkʲi] (narrow) |
| 疾病 | shippei | [ɕi̥p̚pe̞ː] (narrow) |
The term refers to an abnormal condition of the body causing discomfort or dysfunction. To express the transition from being healthy to having an illness, use the phrase 病気になる (to get sick/to fall ill).
Which one should you use?
While 病気 is the common term, 疾病 is a more formal, technical or medical term used in professional, legal or academic contexts. For specific clinical or scientific discussions emphasizing pathology or a disorder, the term 疾患 is used. If you are referring specifically to an infectious disease in a medical context, use 感染症.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
病気 is noted as slang in some contexts. 疾病 is a formal term suitable for professional environments. 疾患 and 感染症 are also formal and intended for medical or scientific usage.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the noun 病気 in formal writing to describe a state of being, it is often followed by the copula である (e.g., 病気である).
How do you pronounce it?
byōki
Did you know?
- In traditional Japanese medicine, some conditions are described using the term 気 (ki), the same character used in 病気, referring to the flow of vital energy rather than a germ or virus.
- In casual conversation, 病気 can be used as an adjective to describe someone's behavior as 'crazy' or 'insane' rather than physically ill.
- When someone is seriously ill, Japanese people often use the phrase お大事に (o-daiji-ni) as a response, which literally means 'please treat [your body] with care' rather than 'get well soon'.
Examples in context
- 何の病気ですか。What disease do I have?This sentence is useful for asking what disease one has using 病気.Tatoeba #187704 by small_snow, translation #435201 by CK
- 腸チフスは怖い病気。Typhoid is a scary disease.This sentence is useful for describing a scary disease using 病気.Tatoeba #11211885 by ITA, translation #11211596 by CK
- 彼はその病気で死んだ。He died of that disease.This sentence is useful for describing someone dying from a disease using 病気.Tatoeba #112429 by bunbuku, translation #291248 by CK
- 私の祖父は重い病気にかかっています。My grandfather is suffering from a serious illness.
- 近年、感染症の予防がますます重要になっています。The prevention of infectious diseases has become increasingly important in recent years.
- その疾患の治療法を研究しています。I am studying the treatment methods for that particular disorder.
- あの子はいつも病気っぽいね。That kid always looks sickly.
- かぜを引いたので、明日は学校を休もうと思う。I caught a cold, so I'm thinking about taking tomorrow off from school.
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A boy and a girl are talking about a sick friend.
- 陽太 Yotaあいつ、何か病気なのかな。Aitsu, nani ka byouki na no kana.I wonder if that guy has some kind of disease.
- 結衣 Yuiただの風邪じゃないと思うよ。Tada no kaze janai to omou yo.I don't think it's just a common cold.
- 陽太 Yotaそうなのかな。心配だね。Sou na no kana. Shinpai da ne.Is that so? It's worrying.
- 結衣 Yui早く良くなるといいね。Hayaku yoku naru to ii ne.I hope he gets better soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “disease” translations and entries 病気, 疾病, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
