熱中症
netchūshō[ne̞t̚t͡ɕɨːɕo̞ː]
The English phrase "heat stroke" is translated into Japanese as 熱中症 (netchūshō). Wiktionary also lists 熱射病 (nesshabyō).
Meaning: severe hyperthermia (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 熱中症 | netchūshō | [ne̞t̚t͡ɕɨːɕo̞ː] (narrow) |
| 熱射病 | nesshabyō | [ne̞ɕːa̠bʲo̞ː] (narrow) |
熱中症 is the standard, everyday term used for heat-related illnesses. It is the word you will most frequently hear in daily conversation, as well as in news reports and public health warnings throughout Japan.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 熱中症 can be broken down into three parts: 熱 (heat), 中 (middle/inside) and 症 (syndrome/illness).
Which one should you use?
While both terms refer to heat-related conditions, 熱中症 is the common term for heat illness or heat stroke in general. In contrast, 熱射病 is a more specific, clinical term used to describe a severe case of heat stroke.
How do you pronounce it?
netchūshō
Did you know?
- The word 熱中 in the term 熱中症 can also mean to be 'enthralled' or 'obsessed' with something, such as a hobby or a person. This creates a strange linguistic coincidence where the same characters used for heat illness can describe being 'lost in passion'.
- To prevent 熱中症, many Japanese people use a ネッククーラー (neck cooler), a specialized cooling ring or towel that has become a ubiquitous fashion accessory during the summer.
- In Japan, the 'heat stroke alert' system is so integrated into daily life that the government issues formal 熱中症警戒アラート warnings via smartphones to prevent mass hospitalization.
Examples in context
- トムって、熱中症になったんだよ。Tom had a heat stroke.This sentence uses 熱中症 to describe someone having a heat stroke.Tatoeba #8983674 by small_snow, translation #5085391 by Hybrid
- 暑い中、ランニングをしてたら、急に暑さを感じなくなってきたんだけど、気温は変わってなかったんだ。後でコーチに指摘されて分かったんだけどね、実はそれは熱中症の初期症状だったんだよ。So I was running in the heat, and then suddenly it didn't feel so hot anymore, but the temperature hadn't changed. Turns out, as my coach later pointed out, that was actually the first sign of heat stroke.This sentence uses 熱中症 to describe the early symptoms of a heat-related illness.Tatoeba #10265904 by small_snow, translation #10265739 by DJ_Saidez
- 高温多湿の気候では、熱射病にかかるリスクが高まります。In hot and humid climates, the risk of suffering from heat stroke increases.
- 熱中症にならないように、水分をこまめに補給しましょう。Let's hydrate frequently so as not to get heat stroke.
- 熱中症は命に関わることがあります。Netchusho wa inochi ni kakawaru koto ga arimasu.Heat stroke can be life-threatening.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are talking about summer safety.
- 結衣 Yui外はすごく暑いから、気をつけてね。Soto wa sugoku atsui kara, ki o tsukete ne.It's very hot outside, so please be careful.
- 健太 Kentaわかった。熱中症にならないように水分を摂るよ。Wakatta. Netchusho ni naranai yo ni suibun o toru yo.I will. I'll drink plenty of water so I don't get heat stroke.
- 結衣 Yui無理をしてはいけないよ。Muri o shite wa ikenai yo.Don't overdo it.
- 健太 Kentaうん、休憩も適度にとるつもりだよ。Un, kyukei mo tekido ni toru tsumori da yo.Yeah, I plan to take proper breaks too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “heat stroke” translations and entries 熱中症, 熱射病, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
