Translation and Meaning of: 病気 - byouki

The Japanese word 「病気」 (byouki) is used to describe a condition of illness or disease. In Japan, this term is widely used to refer to any health problem that affects the body or mind. The word consists of two Kanji: 「病」 (byou), which means "disease" or "illness," and 「気」 (ki), which traditionally refers to energy or spirit, but in this context, relates to the state of the body or mind. The everyday use of the expression is not limited to serious illnesses but also encompasses mild conditions such as colds or headaches.

Etymologically, the Kanji 「病」 originates from Chinese characters and the Japanese language, its meaning is often associated with the idea of being in a state of discomfort or physical disorder. The radical "疒" symbolizes illness or prostration, reinforcing the idea of disease. On the other hand, the Kanji 「気」 in the composition of the word plays a more passive role, indicating the general state of the organism. In Japan, it is common to see the use of the word 「病気」 in medical settings and also in casual conversations when someone refers to not feeling well.

Throughout Japanese history, the perception and treatment of diseases have evolved significantly. In ancient periods, healthcare was often combined with spiritual practices and rituals. In modern society, modern medical science has shaped the understanding and treatment of 「病気」, resulting in a healthcare system that emphasizes both prevention and cure. Being an essential word in the vocabulary of Japanese society, 「病気」 reflects cultural attitudes towards health and well-being, balancing tradition and scientific innovation.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 疾患 (shikkan) - Disease or pathological condition.
• 病 (byou) - Generic term for disease.
• 疾病 (shippou) - Acute or sudden illness.
• 病気 (byouki) - Disease or illness, used in a more common way.
• 病態 (byoutai) - State of the disease or clinical condition.
• 病状 (byoujou) - Signs or symptoms of a specific disease.
• 病弊 (byouhei) - Illness that causes social or economic problems.
• 病症 (byoushou) - Symptoms or manifestations of a disease.

病気

Romaji: byouki
Kana: びょうき
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: illness.

Meaning in English: illness;disease;sickness

Definition: State in which an abnormality occurs in the body or mind.

Example Sentences - (病気) byouki

See below some example sentences:

結核は治療が必要な病気です。

Kekkaku wa chiryou ga hitsuyou na byouki desu

Tuberculosis is a disease that requires treatment.

Tuberculosis is a disease that requires treatment.

• 結核 (けっかく) - tuberculosis
• は - Topic particle
• 治療 (ちりょう) - Treatment
• が - subject particle
• 必要 (ひつよう) - necessary
• な - adjective particle
• 病気 (びょうき) - disease
• です - verb to be in the polite form

細菌は病気を引き起こす可能性があります。

Saikin wa byouki wo hikiokosu kanousei ga arimasu

Bacteria can cause disease.

Bacteria can cause disease.

• 細菌 (saikin) - bacteria
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 病気 (byouki) - disease
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 引き起こす (hikiokosu) - cause, provoke
• 可能性 (kanousei) - possibility
• が (ga) - subject particle
• あります (arimasu) - exist, have

癌は恐ろしい病気です。

Gan wa osoroshii byouki desu

Cancer is a terrible disease.

Cancer is a terrible disease.

• 癌 (gan) - cancer
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 恐ろしい (osoroshii) - terrible, frightening
• 病気 (byouki) - disease
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

この病気の診断は難しいです。

Kono byōki no shindan wa muzukashii desu

Diagnosing this disease is difficult.

The diagnosis of this disease is difficult.

• この - this
• 病気 - disease
• の - of
• 診断 - diagnosis
• は - is
• 難しい - difficult
• です - is

この病気は長引く可能性がある。

Kono byouki wa nagabiku kanousei ga aru

This disease can drag on for a long time.

This disease can be prolonged.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 病気 - noun meaning "disease"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 長引く - verb meaning "to linger" or "to drag on"
• 可能性 - noun meaning "possibility"
• が - subject particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• ある - verb meaning "to exist" or "to have"

この病気の症状は何ですか？

Kono byouki no shoujou wa nan desu ka?

What are the symptoms of this disease?

• この - demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "this one"
• 病気 - noun meaning "disease"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 症状 - noun meaning "symptom"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 何 - interrogative pronoun that means "what"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• か - Particle that indicates a question

この病気の経過はどうですか？

Kono byouki no keika wa dou desu ka?

How is this disease?

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 病気 - noun meaning "disease"
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 経過 - noun meaning "progress" or "evolution"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• どう - adverb meaning "like"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• か - Particle that indicates a question
• ？ - punctuation mark that indicates a question

彼は病気を治すことができた。

Kare wa byouki wo naosu koto ga dekita

He managed to cure the disease.

He was able to cure the disease.

• 彼 (kare) - he
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 病気 (byouki) - disease
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 治す (naosu) - Heal
• こと (koto) - verb noun
• が (ga) - subject particle
• できた (dekita) - Be able to

彼女は病気の友人を見舞うために病院に行きました。

Kanojo wa byouki no yuujin wo mimau tame ni byouin ni ikimashita

She went to the hospital to visit a sick friend.

She went to the hospital to see her sick friend.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 病気 (byouki) - disease
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 友人 (yuujin) - amigo/amiga
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 見舞う (mimau) - visit (someone who is ill)
• ために (tameni) - for
• 病院 (byouin) - hospital
• に (ni) - Location particle
• 行きました (ikimashita) - foi (past tense of ir)

彼女は辛い病気に堪えている。

Kanojo wa tsurai byouki ni koraete iru

She is supporting a painful disease.

She has a painful disease.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 辛い (tsurai) - Painful, difficult
• 病気 (byouki) - disease
• に (ni) - particle indicating target or destination
• 堪えている (koraeteiru) - enduring, enduring