頭が痛いです
a-ta-ma ga i-ta-i de-su
I have a headache
Usage
Used to describe a headache to a doctor or pharmacist
Grammar Note
"~ ga itai" is the standard pattern for body pain. E.g. "onaka ga itai" (stomachache), "ha ga itai" (toothache)
病院に連れて行ってください
byō-in ni tsu-re-te i-t-te ku-da-sa-i
Please take me to the hospital
Usage
Used in emergencies or when feeling ill to request help getting to a hospital
Grammar Note
In emergencies, also useful: "Kyūkyūsha wo yonde kudasai" (Please call an ambulance)
この薬はありますか？
ko-no ku-su-ri wa a-ri-ma-su ka?
Do you have this medicine?
Usage
Used at a pharmacy while showing the medicine name to ask for it
Grammar Note
Show a note with the medicine name or a prescription for clarity. Also useful: "shihanyaku (OTC) wa arimasu ka"
アレルギーがあります
a-re-ru-gī ga a-ri-ma-su
I have an allergy
Usage
Used to inform a doctor or staff about a food or medicine allergy
Grammar Note
Add the allergen before アレルギー for specifics. E.g. "Pīnattsu arerugī ga arimasu" (peanut allergy)
熱があります
ne-tsu ga a-ri-ma-su
I have a fever
Usage
Used to inform a doctor or others that you have a fever
Grammar Note
Specifying temperature helps: "Sanjūhachi-do no netsu ga arimasu" (I have a 38°C fever)
保険証を持っていません
ho-ken-shō wo mo-t-te i-ma-sen
I don't have a health insurance card
Usage
Used by foreign visitors when receiving medical care in Japan without a Japanese health insurance card
Grammar Note
Foreigners often carry travel insurance. Saying "ryokō hoken ga arimasu" helps the clinic process your visit
吐き気がします
ha-ki-ke ga shi-ma-su
I feel nauseous
Usage
Used to describe nausea to a doctor or medical staff
Grammar Note
"~ga shimasu" expresses a sense or sensation. Also used for smell ("nioi ga shimasu") or sound ("oto ga shimasu")
英語を話せる医師はいますか？
ei-go wo ha-na-se-ru i-sha wa i-ma-su ka?
Is there a doctor who speaks English?
Usage
Used by foreigners at Japanese hospitals to ask for an English-speaking doctor
Grammar Note
"~wo hanaseru hito wa imasu ka" asks about language ability. Swap "isha" for "sutaffu" (staff) as needed
下痢をしています
ge-ri wo shi-te i-ma-su
I have diarrhea
Usage
Used to describe gastrointestinal symptoms to a doctor
Grammar Note
"~wo shite imasu" expresses ongoing symptoms. Same structure for "benpi wo shite imasu" (constipation)
処方箋をいただけますか？
sho-hō-sen wo i-ta-da-ke-ma-su ka?
Could I get a prescription?
Usage
Politely requests a prescription from a doctor after a medical examination
Grammar Note
"Itadaku" is the humble form of "morau" (to receive), appropriate for polite requests in medical settings
妊娠中
nin-shin-chū
Pregnant
Usage
Show this first at a clinic or pharmacy — it changes what medicine, X-rays, or anesthesia are allowed
喘息
zen-so-ku
Asthma
Usage
Tells a doctor or pharmacist you have asthma; also useful when looking for an inhaler
糖尿病
tō-nyō-byō
Diabetes
Usage
States a chronic condition; also used when discussing meals or insulin
高血圧
kō-ke-tsu-a-tsu
High blood pressure
Usage
States a chronic condition; matters at pharmacies since it limits over-the-counter drugs
心臓病
shin-zō-byō
Heart disease
Usage
States a heart condition — show it first in an emergency
てんかん
ten-kan
Epilepsy
Usage
Tells people you have a seizure disorder; useful to show right after an episode
保険
ho-ken
Insurance
Usage
The word for insurance at a reception desk; show it with your travel-insurance document
骨折
kos-se-tsu
Broken bone (fracture)
Usage
Says you may have broken a bone; point at the spot while showing it
息が苦しい
i-ki ga ku-ru-shi-i
I can't breathe properly
Usage
Shows shortness of breath without speaking — reads as urgent
めまい
me-ma-i
Dizziness
Usage
Describes feeling dizzy or light-headed
出血
shuk-ke-tsu
Bleeding
Usage
Says you are bleeding; point at the spot while showing it
やけど
ya-ke-do
Burn
Usage
For a burn from hot water, oil, or fire
傷
ki-zu
Wound / cut
Usage
A cut or scrape on the skin; show the wound as you point at the card
耳
mi-mi
Ear
Usage
Use with a gesture at your own ear for ear pain or blockage
首
ku-bi
Neck
Usage
For neck pain; for a sore throat use "nodo" (throat) instead
肩
ka-ta
Shoulder
Usage
For shoulder pain or stiffness; also works when specifying a massage area
膝
hi-za
Knee
Usage
For knee pain or injury
指
yu-bi
Finger
Usage
Normally means a finger; if you mean a toe, point at your foot as well
皮膚
hi-fu
Skin
Usage
For a skin problem; also useful when looking for a dermatologist
腕
u-de
Arm
Usage
Shoulder to wrist; for the hand itself use "te"
鼻
ha-na
Nose
Usage
Use with a gesture at your nose for congestion or a nosebleed
咳
se-ki
Cough
Usage
Describes a cough; also useful when looking for cough medicine
かゆい
ka-yu-i
Itchy
Usage
Describes itching, e.g. from insect bites or a rash
発疹
hos-shin
Rash
Usage
For a red rash on the skin, including a suspected drug reaction
便秘
ben-pi
Constipation
Usage
Says you are constipated; also used to ask for a laxative at a pharmacy
生理
sei-ri
Period (menstruation)
Usage
The everyday Japanese word for menstruation — more common and less clinical than "gekkei"
血液型
ke-tsu-e-ki-ga-ta
Blood type
Usage
Blood grouped by red-cell antigens; if asked before a transfusion or surgery, show your own type next
診断書
shin-dan-sho
Medical certificate
Usage
The document a doctor issues to certify a diagnosis; show it when you need one for insurance or sick leave
入院
nyū-in
Hospital admission
Usage
Staying in hospital for a period to treat an illness or injury; the opposite is "taiin" (discharge)
寒気
sa-mu-ke
Chills
Usage
The cold you feel in your body; read "samuke" — the same kanji read "kanki" means cold air instead
風邪
ka-ze
Common cold
Usage
An illness mainly of the airways, with coughing and fever; said as "kaze o hiku" (to catch a cold)
医者を呼んでください
i-sha o yon-de ku-da-sa-i
Please call a doctor
Usage
Ask people nearby to fetch a doctor when someone is taken ill
Grammar Note
Same "…を呼んでください" frame as "救急車を呼んでください" (please call an ambulance), with "医者" as who is summoned
ここが痛いです
ko-ko ga i-ta-i de-su
It hurts here
Usage
Point at the painful spot while showing this to a doctor
Grammar Note
Same "…が痛いです" frame as "頭が痛いです" (my head hurts), with "ここ" in place of the body part. Use it together with pointing
体がだるいです
ka-ra-da ga da-ru-i de-su
My body feels sluggish
Usage
Tell a doctor that you feel weak and listless, from fever or exhaustion
Grammar Note
"…いです" is the polite i-adjective form, the same shape as "頭が痛いです". "だるい" describes the heavy, strengthless feeling of fatigue
何回か吐きました
nan-kai ka ha-ki-ma-shi-ta
I have vomited several times
Usage
Tell a doctor or pharmacist how many times you have vomited
Grammar Note
Same "…きました" past form as "落ち着きました" (I have calmed down). Giving the number of times helps the diagnosis
安静が必要ですか？
an-sei ga hi-tsu-yō de-su ka?
Do I need to rest?
Usage
Ask the doctor after an examination whether you need to rest
Grammar Note
Same "…が必要ですか？" frame as "どのような書類が必要ですか？" (what documents are needed?) and "予約は必要ですか？", with "安静" filled in
下痢
ge-ri
Diarrhea
Usage
One word for loose, watery stools; to a doctor or pharmacist, say it as the sentence "下痢をしています"
うんこ
u-n-ko
Poop
Usage
Everyday, childlike word for poop; among adults or in formal settings "大便" or "お通じ" is safer, and "お手洗いに行きたいです" (I'd like to use the restroom) is the polite way to ask
おしっこ
o-shi-k-ko
Pee
Usage
Everyday, childlike word for pee; at a clinic or in formal settings "尿" is the proper term, and "お手洗いに行きたいです" (I'd like to use the restroom) is the polite way to ask
便秘です
ben-pi de-su
I'm constipated
Usage
Tell a doctor or pharmacist you are constipated; adding how many days helps
Grammar Note
The shortest polite sentence: noun + "です". Unlike "下痢をしています", it states the condition with a noun alone
おしっこがしたいです
o-shi-k-ko ga shi-ta-i de-su
I need to pee
Usage
Tell a companion or child you need the toilet; to a shop clerk or stranger, "お手洗いに行きたいです" (I'd like to use the restroom) is safer
Grammar Note
"…ga shitai desu" is the polite form of "want to do …", naming the wish with a noun. "うんこがしたいです" has the same structure
うんこがしたいです
u-n-ko ga shi-ta-i de-su
I need to poop
Usage
Tell a companion or child you need the toilet; to a shop clerk or stranger, "お手洗いに行きたいです" (I'd like to use the restroom) is safer
Grammar Note
Same "…ga shitai desu" frame as "おしっこがしたいです"; only the noun changes
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