Learning how to express that you feel sick in a foreign language can be incredibly helpful, especially when traveling or interacting with Japanese speakers. In Japanese, there are both formal and informal ways to convey this feeling. This guide will provide you with various phrases, tips, and examples to help you effectively communicate your discomfort. Let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
Formal Expressions
In more formal situations, such as speaking to strangers, elders, or colleagues, it is important to use respectful language. Here are a few ways to say “I feel sick” formally:
1. 体調が悪いです (Taichou ga warui desu)
This phrase is the most common and direct way to express that you feel sick in Japanese. It can be used in any situation, and it literally translates to “my physical condition is bad.”
Example:
先生、すみませんが、体調が悪いです。 (Sensei, sumimasen ga, taichou ga warui desu.)
Excuse me, teacher, but I feel sick.
2. 具合が悪いです (Guai ga warui desu)
This phrase is another polite way to express feeling unwell. It can be used interchangeably with the previous expression and translates to “I feel unwell.”
Example:
お医者さん、具合が悪いです。 (Oishasan, guai ga warui desu.)
Doctor, I feel unwell.
Informal Expressions
When speaking to friends, family, or close acquaintances in a casual setting, you can use less formal language. Here are a couple of informal ways to say “I feel sick”:
1. 具合が悪い (Guai ga warui)
In informal settings, you can drop the “desu” at the end of the formal expressions. This phrase translates to “I feel unwell.”
Example:
友達、具合が悪い。 (Tomodachi, guai ga warui.)
Friend, I feel unwell.
2. 気分が悪い (Kibun ga warui)
This phrase can also be used in informal situations and translates to “I feel nauseous.”
Example:
今、気分が悪いんだよ。 (Ima, kibun ga warui n da yo.)
Right now, I feel nauseous.
Additional Tips and Phrases
Here are some additional tips and phrases that can further help you when discussing feeling sick in Japanese:
1. Expressing specific symptoms:
If you want to specify the symptoms you are experiencing along with feeling sick, you can use these phrases:
- 頭が痛いです (Atama ga itai desu) – My head hurts
- 吐き気がする (Hakike ga suru) – I feel nauseous
- お腹が痛いです (Onaka ga itai desu) – My stomach hurts
- 熱がある (Netsu ga aru) – I have a fever
2. Seeking medical assistance:
If you need to seek medical help, these phrases may come in handy:
- 救急車を呼んでください (Kyuukyuusha o yonde kudasai) – Please call an ambulance
- 病院に行きたいです (Byouin ni ikitai desu) – I want to go to the hospital
- 薬を買いたいです (Kusuri o kaitai desu) – I want to buy medicine
3. Polite phrases to use when asking for help:
When feeling sick and needing someone’s assistance, it’s good to know these polite phrases:
- すみませんが、助けていただけますか？ (Sumimasen ga, tasukete itadakemasu ka?) – Excuse me, could you help me?
- お水をいただけますか？ (O-mizu o itadakemasu ka?) – Could I have some water, please?
Remember, these phrases are just a starting point. Depending on the situation, you can modify and combine them to suit your needs.
Regional Variations
While the phrases mentioned above are universally understood throughout Japan, it’s worth noting that there might be regional variations in certain dialects. For example, in the Kansai region, which includes cities like Osaka and Kyoto, some people may use “haru” instead of “warui” to mean “feel sick.”
Keep in mind that these regional variations are significantly less common, and it is unlikely that you will encounter them while conversing with locals in a standard Japanese dialect.
In conclusion, expressing that you feel sick in Japanese is essential when communicating your discomfort. Whether you need to convey your condition formally or informally, the phrases provided in this guide will assist you in effectively expressing your symptoms. Remember to adjust the level of politeness and use specific symptom-related phrases when necessary. Stay well and take good care!
