Guide: How to Say “I Was Sick” in Japanese

Learning how to express that you were sick in Japanese is essential for effective communication and ensuring your well-being in Japanese-speaking regions. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways to say “I was sick” in Japanese, providing tips, examples, and even regional variations. Whether you are visiting Japan or studying the language, this guide will assist you in conveying your health condition appropriately and respectfully.

Formal Expressions

When speaking in formal situations, such as in professional settings or when addressing someone of higher status, it is important to use polite language. Here are a few ways to say “I was sick” formally in Japanese:

1. 私は病気でした。 (Watashi wa byōki deshita.)
   This is a straightforward and commonly used phrase that translates to “I was sick.” The word “watashi” means “I,” “wa” is a particle indicating the subject, “byōki” means “sick” or “ill,” and “deshita” is the past tense form of the copula verb “desu.”
2. 先日、体調を崩しました。 (Senjitsu, taichō o kuzushimashita.)
   This expression translates to “I fell ill the other day.” “Senjitsu” means “the other day” or “recently,” “taichō” signifies “physical condition,” and “kuzushimashita” represents the past tense of “kuzusu,” which means “to wreck” or “to break down.”
3. 風邪を引いてしまいました。 (Kaze o hiite shimaimashita.)
   This phrase means “I ended up catching a cold.” Here, “kaze” represents “a cold” and “hiite shimaimashita” indicates the past tense of “hiite suru,” which means “to catch (a cold).”

Informal Expressions

When conversing with friends, family, or people of similar age or status, you can use more casual language to say “I was sick” in Japanese. Take a look at the following informal expressions:

1. 私、びょうきだったんだよ。(Watashi, byōki dattan dayo.)
   This phrase translates to “I was sick, you know.” Here, “watashi” means “I,” “byōki” stands for “sick” or “ill,” “dattan” represents the past tense of “da,” which is the casual form of “desu,” and “dayo” is an ending particle for emphasis.
2. この前、体調崩しちゃったんだ。(Kono mae, taichō kuzushichattan da.)
   This expression means “I fell ill the other day.” “Kono mae” translates to “the other day” or “recently,” “taichō” indicates “physical condition,” “kuzushichattan” represents the past tense of “kuzushichau,” which means “to break down,” and “da” is a casual form of the copula verb “desu.”
3. 風邪ひいちゃったんだよ。(Kaze hiichattan da yo.)
   This phrase translates to “I caught a cold, you know.” “Kaze” denotes “a cold,” “hiichattan” represents the past tense of “hiichau,” which means “to catch (a cold),” and “da yo” is a casual ending for emphasis.

Regional Variations

While Japanese has some regional variations in vocabulary and expressions, the phrases mentioned so far are commonly used nationwide. However, if you want to dive deeper into regional variations, here are a couple of examples:

関西方言では、私は病気やったわ。(Kansai hōgen dewa, watashi wa byōki yatta wa.)

Translation: In Kansai dialect, it would be “I was sick” like this.

In the Kansai region, people often use “やったわ (yatta wa)” instead of “でした (deshita)” to indicate the past tense. The rest of the phrase remains the same, meaning “I was sick.”

九州方言では、私は病んどったわ。 (Kyūshū hōgen dewa, watashi wa yando tta wa.)

Translation: In Kyushu dialect, it would be “I was sick” like this.

In the Kyushu region, people commonly use “病んどったわ (yando tta wa)” instead of “病気でした (byōki deshita)” to convey the same meaning. The phrase starts with “私は (watashi wa)” meaning “I.”

Tips for Usage

Here are a few additional tips to keep in mind when using these phrases:

• When stating that you were sick, it is polite to express gratitude if someone showed concern. You can say “心配かけてすみませんでした (Shinpai kakete sumimasen deshita),” meaning “I apologize for causing you to worry.” This shows appreciation for their concern.
• If you have recovered from your illness, you can add “もう元気です (Mō genki desu)” at the end of the phrase, indicating that you are feeling better now.
• If you want to provide additional details about your illness, you can replace “病気 (byōki)” with the specific illness. For example, “私はインフルエンザでした (Watashi wa infuruenza deshita)” translates to “I had influenza.”

We hope this guide helps you navigate conversations about your health in Japanese. Remember to consider the formality of the situation and choose the appropriate expression accordingly. Wishing you good health and successful communication in Japanese!