When expressing the condition of illness in Japanese, it is essential to understand the appropriate vocabulary and usage based on various levels of formality. In this guide, we will provide you with both formal and informal ways to convey that someone is sick in Japanese. We will also include tips, examples, and a few regional variations when necessary.
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Someone is Sick
If you need to express someone’s illness formally, for instance, when speaking to a superior, elder, or in a professional setting, you can use the following phrases:
1. 彼は病気です。
(Kare wa byōki desu.)
Translation: He is sick.2. 彼女は具合が悪いです。
(Kanojo wa guai ga warui desu.)
Translation: She isn’t feeling well.3. お体の具合はいかがですか？
(O-karada no guai wa ikaga desu ka?)
Translation: How is your health condition?
These formal expressions maintain a polite tone while conveying the information about someone being sick.
Informal Ways to Say Someone is Sick
In a casual or informal setting, such as speaking with friends, family, or close acquaintances, you can use these phrases:
1. 彼は病気だ。
(Kare wa byōki da.)
Translation: He is sick.2. 彼女は調子が悪い。
(Kanojo wa chōshi ga warui.)
Translation: She isn’t feeling well.3. 元気じゃなさそう。
(Genki janasa-sō.)
Translation: They don’t seem energetic/healthy.
These informal expressions reflect a more friendly and casual tone while still conveying the same information about someone’s illness.
Tips for Usage
1. Adding a person’s name, such as “彼” (kare) for he or “彼女” (kanojo) for she, before the phrase can make your sentence more specific and understandable.
2. Incorporating words like “具合が悪い” (guai ga warui) or “調子が悪い” (chōshi ga warui) instead of “病気” (byōki) can further describe the severity of the person’s condition.
Examples
Let’s take a look at some examples combining the formal and informal phrases:
Formal:
彼は具合が悪いです。
(Kare wa guai ga warui desu.)
Translation: He isn’t feeling well.Informal:
彼は具合が悪い。
(Kare wa guai ga warui.)
Translation: He isn’t feeling well.
Formal:
彼女は病気です。
(Kanojo wa byōki desu.)
Translation: She is sick.Informal:
彼女は病気だ。
(Kanojo wa byōki da.)
Translation: She is sick.
Regional Variations
Japanese is spoken throughout various regions, and there can be slight differences in vocabulary. However, when it comes to expressing someone’s illness, these phrases hold true across Japan, regardless of regional variations.
Remember, it’s always advisable to consider the context and relationship between you and the other person when choosing the appropriate level of formality.
Now armed with these phrases, you can confidently express someone’s sickness in Japanese while maintaining respect and a warm tone!
