坐骨神経痛
zakotsushinkeitsū[d͡za̠ko̞t͡sɨɕĩŋke̞ːt͡sɨː]
The Japanese word for sciatica is 坐骨神経痛 (zakotsushinkeitsū).
坐骨神経痛 is the medical term for the neuralgia of the sciatic nerve. In an informal context, a person might describe their symptoms by saying 腰痛で足がしびれる, which translates to lower back pain with numbness in the legs.
Meaning: neuralgia of the sciatic nerve (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 坐骨神経痛 is composed of the components 坐骨 (sacrum/ischium), 神経 (nerve) and 痛 (pain).
How do you pronounce it?
zakotsushinkeitsū
Did you know?
- In Japan, patients often describe the sensation of sciatica as 電気が走る, which literally means 'electricity is running' through the leg.
- The character 坐 in 坐骨神経痛 is a rare kanji that specifically means 'to sit', though it is almost always replaced by the simpler 座 in modern everyday Japanese writing.
- The character 痛 used in 坐骨神経痛 is the root for 痛い, but it is also used in the word 痛快, which means 'exhilarating' or 'refreshing'.
Examples in context
- 先週から腰が痛くて足がしびれるんだけど、どうすればいい？Since last week, my lower back has been hurting, and my legs have been feeling numb. What should I do?
- はい、腰が痛くて足がしびれることがあります。Yes, I've been having lower back pain with numbness in my legs.
- 最近、坐骨神経痛に悩んでいます。Saikotsu shinkeitsū ni nayande imasu.I have been suffering from sciatica lately.
- 坐骨神経痛の治療を受けました。Zakotsu shinkeitsū no chiryō o ukemashita.I received treatment for sciatica.
- 坐骨神経痛はとても痛いです。Zakotsu shinkeitsū wa totemo itai desu.Sciatica is very painful.
Example conversation
A man is talking to his female friend about his leg pain.
- 陽葵 Himari足の調子はどう？Ashi no chōshi wa dō?How is your leg feeling?
- 大翔 Hiroto坐骨神経痛だと診断されました。Zakotsu shinkeitsū da to shindan saremashita.I was diagnosed with sciatica.
- 陽葵 Himariそれは大変ですね。Sore wa taihen desu ne.That sounds tough.
- 大翔 Hirotoええ、すごく痛いです。Ee, sugoku itai desu.Yes, it is very painful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sciatica” translations and entries 坐骨神経痛, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
