How to Describe Symptoms in Japanese: Medical Phrases for Tourists

Hello, I’m Kodak.

Becoming sick or injured in another country can be frightening—especially when you do not know the language.

The good news is that you do not need perfect Japanese to explain your symptoms. Short, clear sentences are often enough.

How to Say “I Feel Sick” in Japanese

The most useful general phrase is:

This phrase is useful when you know that something is wrong but do not know the cause or diagnosis.

朝から具合が悪いです。
Asa kara guai ga warui desu.
I have felt unwell since this morning.

急に具合が悪くなりました。
Kyū ni guai ga waruku narimashita.
I suddenly began to feel unwell.

具合が悪い vs 気分が悪い

電車の中で気分が悪くなりました。
Densha no naka de kibun ga waruku narimashita.
I began to feel sick on the train.

The Easiest Formula for Describing a Symptom

For pain, use:

頭が痛いです。
Atama ga itai desu.
I have a headache.

のどが痛いです。
Nodo ga itai desu.
My throat hurts.

おなかが痛いです。
Onaka ga itai desu.
I have a stomachache.

胸が痛いです。
Mune ga itai desu.
I have chest pain.

Body Parts You May Need at a Doctor

Common Symptoms in Japanese

How to Say When a Symptom Started

Use から to say “since” or “from.”

昨日の夜からおなかが痛いです。
Kinō no yoru kara onaka ga itai desu.
My stomach has hurt since last night.

How to Say How Long a Symptom Has Lasted

三日間、熱が続いています。
Mikka-kan, netsu ga tsuzuite imasu.
My fever has continued for three days.

一週間、せきが続いています。
Isshūkan, seki ga tsuzuite imasu.
My cough has continued for one week.

How to Describe the Severity

少し痛いです。
Sukoshi itai desu.
It hurts a little.

せきがかなりひどいです。
Seki ga kanari hidoi desu.
My cough is quite severe.

痛くて歩けません。
Itakute arukemasen.
It hurts so much that I cannot walk.

Using a 0–10 Pain Scale

How to Describe the Type of Pain

Japanese often uses onomatopoeia or short descriptive expressions for pain.

頭がズキズキします。
Atama ga zukizuki shimasu.
My head is throbbing.

胸が締めつけられる感じです。
Mune ga shimetsukerareru kanji desu.
My chest feels tight.

How to Describe Frequency

ずっと痛いです。
Zutto itai desu.
It hurts continuously.

時々、めまいがします。
Tokidoki, memai ga shimasu.
I sometimes feel dizzy.

一日に五回くらい下痢をします。
Ichinichi ni gokai kurai geri o shimasu.
I have diarrhea about five times a day.

体を動かすと痛みます。
Karada o ugokasu to itamimasu.
It hurts when I move my body.

How to Say a Symptom Is Changing

Important Information to Tell the Doctor

Current Medicine

今、この薬を飲んでいます。
Ima, kono kusuri o nonde imasu.
I am currently taking this medicine.

毎日、一錠飲んでいます。
Mainichi, ichijō nonde imasu.
I take one tablet every day.

Allergies

薬のアレルギーがあります。
Kusuri no arerugī ga arimasu.
I have a drug allergy.

ペニシリンにアレルギーがあります。
Penishirin ni arerugī ga arimasu.
I am allergic to penicillin.

Chronic or Previous Conditions

持病があります。
Jibyō ga arimasu.
I have a chronic or pre-existing condition.

以前、手術を受けました。
Izen, shujutsu o ukemashita.
I previously had surgery.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

妊娠しています。
Ninshin shite imasu.
I am pregnant.

妊娠している可能性があります。
Ninshin shite iru kanōsei ga arimasu.
I may be pregnant.

授乳中です。
Junyū-chū desu.
I am breastfeeding.

At the Reception Desk in Japan

A medical visit often begins with registration and a questionnaire.

Useful Reception Vocabulary

Conversation with a Doctor in Japan

Common Questions a Doctor May Ask

Tests, Diagnosis, and Treatment Phrases

Questions You Can Ask

At the Pharmacy After Seeing a Doctor

Medicine Questions

How Medical Care Usually Works for Tourists in Japan

The exact process varies, but a typical visit may include the following steps:

Which Medical Department Should You Visit?

The appropriate department depends on the actual condition, and a facility may redirect you. Use official search information or ask the facility when unsure.

Emergency Japanese Phrases

What to Prepare Before Visiting a Doctor

Japan’s official tourist medical guide also provides downloadable sheets for personal medical information and pointing to symptoms. Multilingual medical forms are available through the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

A Complete Symptom Description Template

Common Beginner Mistakes

Mistake 1: Giving Only the Disease You Think You Have

Instead of saying only 風邪です, tell the doctor your actual fever, cough, pain, start time, and other symptoms. Your guess may not be the diagnosis.

Mistake 2: Trying to Explain Everything in One Sentence

Short sentences reduce mistakes and make it easier for the listener to ask follow-up questions.

Mistake 3: Omitting When the Symptom Started

いつから is important. Even a simple answer such as 昨日からです adds useful information.

Mistake 4: Saying Only “It Hurts” Without Pointing

Say or point to the location: ここが痛いです. Then describe severity and whether the pain is continuous.

Mistake 5: Hiding Medicine or Allergies

Show current medicines and tell the staff about allergies, chronic conditions, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.

Mistake 6: Assuming “Cashless” Payment Is Always Available

Accepted payment methods differ by facility. Confirm payment and insurance arrangements when possible.

Mistake 7: Using Machine Translation for a Long Medical Story

Translation tools can help, but long input may introduce ambiguity. Break the information into symptoms, timing, severity, medicines, and allergies, and verify critical details with medical staff.

Mistake 8: Waiting to Learn Emergency Phrases Until an Emergency

Save 救急車を呼んでください, the number 119, your accommodation address, and emergency contacts before you need them.

Natural Example Sentences for Medical Situations

二日前からのどが痛いです。
Futsuka-mae kara nodo ga itai desu.
My throat has hurt for two days.

今朝から38度の熱があります。
Kesa kara sanjū-hachi-do no netsu ga arimasu.
I have had a fever of 38°C since this morning.

一日に何度も吐いています。
Ichinichi ni nando mo haite imasu.
I have vomited many times today.

水を飲んでも吐いてしまいます。
Mizu o nonde mo haite shimaimasu.
I vomit even when I drink water.

歩くと右ひざが痛みます。
Aruku to migi-hiza ga itamimasu.
My right knee hurts when I walk.

左手にしびれがあります。
Hidarite ni shibire ga arimasu.
I have numbness in my left hand.

痛みはだんだん強くなっています。
Itami wa dandan tsuyoku natte imasu.
The pain is gradually becoming stronger.

一度よくなりましたが、昨夜また悪くなりました。
Ichido yoku narimashita ga, sakuya mata waruku narimashita.
It improved once, but became worse again last night.

この薬を飲んだあと、発疹が出ました。
Kono kusuri o nonda ato, hosshin ga demashita.
I developed a rash after taking this medicine.

英語で対応できる病院を探しています。
Eigo de taiō dekiru byōin o sagashite imasu.
I am looking for a hospital that can assist me in English.

FAQ: Japanese Medical Phrases for Tourists

How do you describe symptoms in Japanese?

Use a short four-part structure: name the symptom or painful body part, say when it started, describe its severity or type, and mention current medicines, allergies, and relevant medical history.

How do you say “I feel sick” in Japanese?

具合が悪いです (guai ga warui desu) means “I feel unwell.” 気分が悪いです (kibun ga warui desu) often means “I feel sick or nauseated.”

How do you say “It hurts here”?

Say ここが痛いです (koko ga itai desu) while pointing to the painful area.

How do you say “since yesterday”?

Say 昨日からです (kinō kara desu).

How do you explain pain severity?

You can say 痛みは10段階で7くらいです, meaning “The pain is about 7 out of 10.”

How do you say “The pain is getting worse”?

Say 痛みがひどくなっています or だんだんひどくなっています.

How do you tell a doctor about medicine?

Say この薬を飲んでいます, meaning “I am taking this medicine,” and show the package, ingredient, dose, and schedule.

How do you say “I have a drug allergy”?

Say 薬のアレルギーがあります (kusuri no arerugī ga arimasu).

How do you ask to see a doctor?

Say 診察を受けたいです (shinsatsu o uketai desu), meaning “I would like to see a doctor.”

How do you ask for an English-speaking doctor?

Say 英語を話せる医師はいますか？ (eigo o hanaseru ishi wa imasu ka?).

How do you call an ambulance in Japan?

Call 119. To ask someone for help, say 救急車を呼んでください, meaning “Please call an ambulance.”

Can tourists search for English-speaking medical facilities in Japan?

Yes. Japan’s official tourist medical guide allows searches by area, language, and medical department, although actual availability should be confirmed with the facility.

Do tourists pay separately for medicine?

When a prescription is dispensed at an outside pharmacy, the pharmacy charge is generally separate from the medical institution’s bill. Procedures may differ when the facility dispenses medicine internally.

Summary: How to Describe Symptoms in Japanese

References and Official Resources

• Japan National Tourism Organization: Guide for When You Are Feeling Ill — medical-facility search, care flow, emergency guidance, symptom sheets, departments, payment information, and traveler resources.
• Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: Updated list of medical institutions accepting foreign patients — official update published June 30, 2026.
• Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: Multilingual medical explanation materials — bilingual medical forms and questionnaires in multiple languages.
• The Japan Foundation, NIHONGO eな: NIHONGO de CARE-NAVI — Japanese–English medical, nursing, symptom, hospital, and medication vocabulary with example sentences and audio.
• The Japan Foundation, Erin’s Challenge, Lesson 16 — beginner material for explaining injuries and illness.
• Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: Manual for medical institutions accepting foreign patients.