Health Problem (2)

Related Resources • Health Problem (1)

Here are more useful vocabulary and expressions when you have health problems. There are two types of hospitals: "Iin (private hospitals)" and "sougou-byouin (general hospitals)". A doctor is "isha" and a nurse is "kangofu". Doctors are often called "sensei", the title also used for teachers and professors. In case of an emergency, call 119 for an ambulance (kyuukyuu-sha) or the fire department (shoubou-sho), 110 for the police station (keisatsu).

Hospital Departments

Types of Medicine

Common Phrases Used by a Doctor

How to Consult a Doctor

To ask the doctor if you are permitted to do something, the expression "~ mo ii desu ka (May I ~?)" is used. It is combined with the verb "te-form".

There is no expression in Japanese like "Bless you" when somebody sneezes. In Japan, it is said that if you sneeze, someone is gossiping about you.

When the Japanese measure body temperature (taion), they put the thermometer in their armpit (waki), unlike some countries where people put it in their mouths.

Click here to learn how to describe pain.

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