自閉症です
jiheishō desu
To say "I have autism" in Japanese, use 自閉症です (jiheishō desu).
This phrase is used to inform others that the speaker has autism spectrum disorder.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase ends with です (desu), which functions as a polite copula to state a fact or condition.
How do you pronounce it?
jiheishō desu
Did you know?
- The term 自閉症 (jiheishō) literally translates to 'self-closing disorder' or 'auto-closure disorder', reflecting the historical clinical view of the condition as being 'closed off' from the outside world.
- People in Japan may use the phrase 特性があります (tokusei ga arimasu), meaning 'I have characteristics', as a softer, less medicalized way to explain autistic traits without using a formal diagnosis.
- In Japanese social contexts, disclosing a condition like 自閉症 is often accompanied by a request for specific 'reasonable accommodations' called 合理的配慮 (gōriteki hairyo).
Examples in context
- 実は、自閉症です。jitsu wa, jiheishou desu.Actually, I have autism.
- 私は自閉症です。理解してもらえると嬉しいです。watashi wa jiheishou desu. rikai shite moraeru to ureshii desu.I have autism. I would appreciate your understanding.
Example conversation
Yui tells Hiroto about her diagnosis during a quiet cafe chat.
- 結衣 Yuiあの、実は私、自閉症です。ano, jitsu wa watashi, jiheishou desu.Um, actually, I have autism.
- 大翔 Hiroto教えてくれてありがとう。無理しないでね。oshiete kurete arigatou. muri shinai de ne.Thank you for telling me. Please don't overwork yourself.
- 結衣 Yuiそう言ってもらえると、安心します。sou itte moraeru to, anshin shimasu.It makes me feel relieved to hear you say that.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣さんのペースで大丈夫だよ。Yui-san no peesu de daijoubu da yo.It's okay to go at your own pace, Yui.
