Learning how to say “hospital” in Japanese can be highly beneficial, especially if you plan to travel to Japan or communicate with Japanese speakers in a medical context. In this guide, we will explore the formal and informal ways to express this word, along with some tips, examples, and regional variations. So let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Hospital”
1. Byōin: This is the standard and most widely used term for “hospital” in Japanese. It is formal and suitable for any situation. It is pronounced like “byo-in.”
Examples:
わたしのおばあさんはびょういんで働いています。
My grandmother works at a hospital.
2. Geka-sho: Refers specifically to a surgical hospital or a hospital specializing in surgical procedures. This term can be used when discussing hospitals with a focus on surgery.
Examples:
彼女はげかしょで手術を受けました。
She had an operation at a surgical hospital.
Informal Ways to Say “Hospital”
1. Byōshitsu: This term is more casual and is commonly used in informal conversations. It literally translates to a “sick room.”
Examples:
お父さんはびょうしつに入院しています。
Dad is hospitalized in a sick room.
2. Byōkiya: An even more casual term, typically used in everyday speech. It translates to “sick house” or “house of illness.”
Examples:
彼はびょうきやに運ばれました。
He was taken to the hospital.
Tips for Understanding Regional Variations
Japanese, like any other language, can have variations based on regions or dialects. While the formal terms mentioned earlier are universally understood, some variants exist in specific regions. Here are a few:
1. Iryōjo: This term is predominantly used in the Kansai area (including cities like Osaka and Kyoto) to refer to a “hospital.” It is less common in other regions of Japan.
2. Biyouin: This variant with a slight pronunciation change is used mainly in Okinawa, the southernmost prefecture of Japan. It has the same meaning as “hospital.”
Additional Phrases Related to Hospitals
While learning how to say “hospital” is helpful, some related phrases might also come in handy. Here are a few examples:
- Shujutsu: Surgery
- Shinryō: Medical treatment
- Jūi: Doctor
- Kangoshi: Nurse
- Shinsatsu: Medical examination
In Conclusion
Now that you know the formal and informal ways to say “hospital” in Japanese, along with some regional variations, you can confidently and politely communicate about medical matters when interacting with Japanese speakers. Remember that using a formal term like “byōin” would generally be appropriate in most situations. However, if you are with friends or in a casual setting, it is perfectly fine to use a more casual term like “byōshitsu” or “byōkiya.” Keep practicing these phrases to enhance your Japanese language skills.
