What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of インフルエンザ (influenza), the particle ni (indicating the object of an action) and kakarimashita (the polite past tense of kakaru, meaning to catch or contract a disease).
Which one should you use?
The default form インフルエンザにかかりました uses the past tense to indicate the onset of the illness. You can also use the continuous form インフルエンザにかかっています to emphasize that you are currently in the state of being sick.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The version インフルエンザにかかった is the casual form used with friends or family. The default form インフルエンザにかかりました is polite and suitable for use with colleagues or superiors.
How does it change in a sentence?
While the default form uses the past tense to indicate the onset of the illness, using the continuous form インフルエンザにかかっています emphasizes that you are currently in the state of being sick.
How do you pronounce it?
infuruenza ni kakarimashita
Did you know?
- The word インフルエンザ is a 'double loanword', having entered Japanese via German Influenza rather than directly from English.
- When someone says インフルエンザにかかりました, the listener will often respond with odaiji ni, a phrase that has no direct English equivalent but means 'please take care of yourself'.
- While you might expect to say you 'have' a sickness, Japanese uses the verb kakaru, which literally means 'to hang' or 'to be suspended'.
Examples in context
- 昨日、インフルエンザにかかりました。Kinou, infuruenza ni kakarimashita.I caught the flu yesterday.
- 実は、インフルエンザにかかりました。Jitsu wa, infuruenza ni kakarimashita.Actually, I have the flu.
Example conversation
Ren is explaining to Yui why he cannot come to a gathering.
- 蓮 Ren結衣さん、すみません。インフルエンザにかかりました。Yui-san, sumimasen. Infuruenza ni kakarimashita.Yui, I'm sorry. I have the flu.
- 結衣 Yui大丈夫ですか？無理しないでくださいね。Daijoubu desu ka? Muri shinai de kudasai ne.Are you okay? Please don't overdo it.
- 蓮 Renありがとうございます。ゆっくり休みます。Arigatou gozaimasu. Yukkuri yasumimasu.Thank you. I will rest well.
- 結衣 Yuiお大事にしてください、蓮さん。Odaiji ni shite kudasai, Ren-san.Please take care of yourself, Ren.
