How to Say "Sick Person" in Japanese

病人

byōnin[bʲo̞ːɲ̟ĩɴ]

In Japanese, the phrase for "sick person" is 病人 (byōnin).

病人 is used to describe an individual who is afflicted by an illness.

Meaning: afflicted individual (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The word is composed of the characters for illness (病) and person (人).

病人 is a standard, somewhat formal way to refer to a person who is ill, but it can sound slightly blunt or detached in direct conversation.

byōnin

When visiting a 病人, it is a common custom to bring a gift called お見舞い (omimai), which is a specific type of gesture meant to wish for a speedy recovery.
If you use 病人 to refer to a loved one when speaking with their family, it can sound as clinical and impersonal as calling them 'the afflicted' in English.
In Japanese, there is a distinction between 病人 ('sick person') and 病弱 ('sickly person'), where the latter describes a permanent physical constitution rather than a temporary illness.

病人の容態は安定しています。
The patient's condition is stable.
あの病人の様子が心配だ。
Ano byōjin no yōsu ga shinpai da.
I am worried about the state of that sick person.
病人のための特別な食事を用意する。
Byōjin no tame no tokubetsu na shokuji o yōi suru.
I will prepare a special meal for the sick person.
病人の世話をすることは大変だ。
Byōjin no sewa o suru koto wa taihen da.
Taking care of a sick person is hard work.

Himari and Daito are talking about a relative in the hospital.

陽葵 Himari

おじいちゃんは病人だから、無理をさせないで。
ojiichan wa byōnin dakara, muri o sasenaide.
Grandpa is a sick person, so don't push him too hard.
大翔 Hiroto

わかったよ。ゆっくり休んでもらおう。
wakatta yo. yukkuriyasunde moraō.
I understand. Let's let him rest slowly.
陽葵 Himari

病人に優しい食事を用意しよう。
byōnin ni yasashii shokuji o yōi shiyō.
Let's prepare a meal that is gentle for a sick person.
大翔 Hiroto

そうだね。消化にいいものを探すよ。
sō dane. shōka ni ii mono o sagasu yo.
You're right. I'll look for something easy to digest.

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