病気 — meaning in English: sick

byōki · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for illness

病気

byōki

上昇

jōshō

ギア

gia

ワイヤー

waiyaa

ブロック

burokku

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neutral common

Usage

Native speakers commonly use 病気 (byōki) when discussing health issues, whether they are experiencing symptoms themselves or inquiring about someone else's condition. For instance, you might hear someone say, '彼は病気ですか？' (Is he sick?) during casual conversations or in medical settings when describing an ailment.

Synonyms & nuances

While 病気 (byōki) means 'sick' in a general sense, you might also encounter the word 症状 (shōjō), which specifically refers to 'symptoms.' Use 病気 when you want to describe the overall condition, but switch to 症状 when discussing specific signs of illness.

Culture

The term 病気 (byōki) combines the kanji for 'sickness' (病) and 'condition' or 'status' (気), reflecting a deep-rooted understanding of health in Japanese culture. Historically, health was often linked to balance and harmony, making this word not just a label but a concept that carries significant cultural weight in discussions about well-being and care.

FAQ

Q.What does 病気 mean?

病気 (byōki) means 'sick' or 'illness' in Japanese. It is used to describe a person's health condition in both casual and formal contexts.

Q.How do you use 病気 in a sentence?

You can use 病気 in sentences like '私は病気です' (I am sick) or '彼女は病気になりました' (She has fallen ill), which effectively conveys the state of health.

Q.Are there any common mistakes when using 病気?

A common mistake is using 病気 when discussing minor discomforts, like a cold. In such cases, you might opt for words like 風邪 (kaze) for cold to convey a lighter context.

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