Visiting a hospital in Japan can be challenging, especially when you’re not confident in your Japanese. Knowing a few useful phrases can help you communicate with doctors, explain your symptoms, and understand medical instructions.

In this blog post, let’s learn essential Japanese phrases for visiting a hospital in Japan!

1. At the Reception Desk

When you arrive at a hospital, you usually start at the reception desk (受付). Here are some useful phrases.

診察しんさつを受うけたいです。

I’d like to see a doctor.

初はじめてです。

This is my first visit.

予約よやくをしています。

I have an appointment.

保険証ほけんしょうを持もっています。

I have my insurance card.

Useful vocabulary:

• 受付（うけつけ）— Reception
• 診察（しんさつ）— Medical examination / Consultation
• 予約（よやく）— Appointment / Reservation
• 保険証（ほけんしょう）— Insurance card

2. Explaining Your Symptoms

When you see a doctor, it’s important to explain how you feel. Here are some common Japanese phrases for describing symptoms.

頭あたまが痛いたいです。

I have a headache. / My head hurts.

お腹なかが痛いたいです。

My stomach hurts. / I have a stomachache.

喉のどが痛いたいです。

I have a sore throat.

熱ねつがあります。

I have a fever.

咳せきが出でます。

I have a cough. / I keep coughing.

めまいがします。

I feel dizzy.

症状しょうじょうがよくなりません。

My symptoms aren’t getting better.

〜が痛いたいです。

It hurts. / I have pain in 〜.

You can use this pattern with different body parts.

• 歯はが痛いたいです。— My tooth hurts.
• 耳みみが痛いたいです。— My ear hurts.

3. Talking to the Doctor

During your consultation, the doctor may ask questions about your symptoms. These phrases can help you communicate.

いつからですか？

Since when? / When did it start?

昨日きのうからです。

Since yesterday.

3日前かまえからです。

It started three days ago.

どんな症状しょうじょうがありますか？

What symptoms do you have?

薬くすりを飲のんでいます。

I’m taking medicine.

アレルギーがあります。

I have allergies.

痛いたみが強つよいです。

The pain is severe. / The pain is strong.

Useful vocabulary:

• 症状（しょうじょう）— Symptoms
• 痛み（いたみ）— Pain
• 強い（つよい）— Strong / Severe
• 昨日（きのう）— Yesterday
• 前（まえ）— Ago / Before

4. Asking About Medicine

After your consultation, you may receive medicine. These phrases are useful when asking about your medication.

この薬くすりは何なんですか？

What is this medicine?

いつ飲のめばいいですか？

When should I take it?

副作用ふくさようはありますか？

Are there any side effects?

Useful vocabulary:

• 薬（くすり）— Medicine
• 飲む（のむ）— To take medicine / To drink
• 食前（しょくぜん）— Before meals
• 食後（しょくご）— After meals
• 副作用（ふくさよう）— Side effects
• 一日（いちにち）— One day
• 回（かい）— Counter for times

Japanese tip: In Japanese, we use 飲む（のむ）, meaning “to drink,” when talking about taking medicine, including tablets and capsules.

5. When You Don’t Understand Japanese

If you don’t understand what the doctor or hospital staff is saying, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

もう一度いちどお願ねがいします。

One more time, please.

ゆっくり話はなしていただけますか？

Could you speak slowly, please?

日本語にほんごがあまりわかりません。

I don’t understand Japanese very well.

英語えいごを話はなせる方かたはいますか？

Is there anyone who speaks English?

Useful vocabulary:

• もう一度（もういちど）— One more time
• ゆっくり — Slowly
• 話す（はなす）— To speak
• 方（かた）— Person (polite)

6. Useful Hospital Vocabulary

Here are some important Japanese words to remember when visiting a hospital.

Japanese	Reading	English
病院	びょういん	Hospital
医者	いしゃ	Doctor
医師	いし	Physician / Doctor
看護師	かんごし	Nurse
患者	かんじゃ	Patient
受付	うけつけ	Reception
診察	しんさつ	Medical examination
症状	しょうじょう	Symptoms
熱	ねつ	Fever
痛い	いたい	Painful / Hurts
薬	くすり	Medicine
予約	よやく	Appointment
保険証	ほけんしょう	Insurance card
待合室	まちあいしつ	Waiting room
処方箋	しょほうせん	Prescription

7. A Simple Hospital Conversation

Let’s look at a short conversation between a patient and a receptionist.

👩‍⚕️ 受付（うけつけ）— Receptionist

こんにちは。今日きょうはどうされましたか？— Hello. What brings you in today?

🤒 患者（かんじゃ）— Patient

喉のどが痛いたいです。診察しんさつを受うけたいです。— I have a sore throat. I’d like to see a doctor.

👩‍⚕️ 受付（うけつけ）— Receptionist

保険証ほけんしょうをお持もちですか？— Do you have your insurance card?

🤒 患者（かんじゃ）— Patient

はい、持もっています。— Yes, I have it.

👩‍⚕️ 受付（うけつけ）— Receptionist

ありがとうございます。こちらでお待まちください。— Thank you. Please wait here.

Conclusion

Visiting a hospital in Japan can feel difficult when you’re not confident in Japanese. However, learning a few essential phrases can help you communicate more comfortably.

Start by remembering these three phrases:

• 診察しんさつを受うけたいです。 — I’d like to see a doctor.
• 〜が痛いたいです。 — It hurts / I have pain in 〜.
• もう一度いちどお願ねがいします。 — One more time, please.

You don’t need to speak perfect Japanese to communicate. Practice these phrases, and you’ll feel more prepared for your next hospital visit in Japan!

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