具合が悪いです
guai ga warui desu
In Japanese, the phrase for "I am sick" is 具合が悪いです (guai ga warui desu).
The phrase 具合が悪いです is used to describe a general state of being unwell or experiencing poor physical health. It is a general way to say you are not feeling well, rather than providing a specific diagnosis such as having a cold.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down into 具合 (guai), meaning "condition" or "state" and 悪い (warui), meaning "bad".
Which one should you use?
While 具合が悪いです refers to your general physical condition, the phrase 気分が悪いです is more commonly used to describe feeling nauseous or experiencing a sudden change in how you feel.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
You can make the phrase informal by dropping the です at the end, resulting in 具合が悪い, which is suitable for friends or family. There are other ways to express sickness depending on the level of formality, such as the formal Watashi wa byouki desu or the casual Byouki da.
How do you pronounce it?
guai ga warui desu
Did you know?
- In a professional setting, instead of saying 具合が悪いです, it is often more polite to use the humble verb 体調を崩しました (taichou o kuzushimashita), which literally means 'I have broken my physical condition'.
- The word 具合 (guai) is also used to describe the 'condition' or 'working order' of mechanical objects, like a broken clock or a stalling car engine.
- The kanji used in 悪い (warui) is also used to describe 'evil' or 'wicked' characters in stories, meaning the phrase literally describes your condition as 'bad' or 'evil'.
Examples in context
- 少し具合が悪いです。Sukoshi guai ga warui desu.I feel a little unwell.
- 今日は具合が悪いです。Kyou wa guai ga warui desu.I am feeling sick today.
Example conversation
Misaki is talking to Ren at the office because she feels unwell.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮さん、実は少し具合が悪いです。Ren-san, jitsu wa sukoshi guai ga warui desu.Ren, actually I feel a little unwell.
- 蓮 Ren大丈夫ですか？無理しないでください。Daijoubu desu ka? Muri shinaide kudasai.Are you okay? Please don't overdo it.
- 美咲 Misakiはい、早めに帰ります。Hai, hayame ni kaerimasu.Yes, I will head home early.
- 蓮 Renお大事に。O daiji ni.Take care.
