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Help 緊急 · Stop X02

体調不良

Feeling unwell in Japanese

A long day in Shinjuku and your head is pounding. Time to explain what's wrong and find the right medicine. Say how you feel, find a drugstore or hospital, and ask for medicine.

  • 新宿 · Set in Shinjuku
  • 6-minute lesson
  • Free in the app

Phrases

きぶんがわるいです

kibun ga warui desu

I feel sick.

A general 'I feel unwell', often meaning queasy. Staff will usually offer you a seat and ask what's wrong.

気分がkibun ga · feeling (subject)悪いwarui · badですdesu · (polite)

あたまがいたいです

atama ga itai desu

I have a headache.

Swap the body part: お腹 (onaka, stomach), 喉 (nodo, throat), 歯 (ha, tooth).

Pattern: 〜が痛いです

頭がatama ga · head (subject)痛いitai · hurtsですdesu · (polite)

ねつがあります

netsu ga arimasu

I have a fever.

Japan uses Celsius: 38度 (sanjuuhachi-do) is 38°C, about 100°F.

熱がnetsu ga · fever (subject)ありますarimasu · have / there is

ちかくにびょういんはありますか？

chikaku ni byouin wa arimasu ka?

Is there a hospital nearby?

病院 (byouin) covers hospitals and small clinics. For minor problems, a clinic is usually quicker.

近くにchikaku ni · nearby病院はbyouin wa · hospital (topic)ありますかarimasu ka · is there?

doraggusutoa wa doko desu ka?

Where is a drugstore?

Drugstores sell medicine, cosmetics and snacks. Look for a big 薬 (kusuri, medicine) sign.

ドラッグストアはdoraggusutoa wa · drugstore (topic)どこdoko · whereですかdesu ka · is it?

このくすりはありますか？

kono kusuri wa arimasu ka?

Do you have this medicine?

Show a photo or the box of what you take at home. Brands differ, so staff can suggest a match.

このkono · this薬はkusuri wa · medicine (topic)ありますかarimasu ka · do you have?

What you’ll hear

Staff talk fast. Here’s what they are likely to say at this stop, and a good answer.

donna shoujou desu ka?

What are your symptoms?

A pharmacist or doctor asks what's wrong.

You

atama ga itai desu

I have a headache.

ichinichi sankai, shokugo ni nonde kudasai.

Take it three times a day, after meals.

How to take your medicine. 食後 (shokugo) means after meals; 食前 (shokuzen) means before meals.

You

hai, wakarimashita

Okay, got it.

hokenshou wa omochi desu ka?

Do you have a health insurance card?

Hospital reception asks for a Japanese insurance card. Visitors don't have one: show your passport and expect to pay in full.

You

iie, ryokousha desu

No, I'm a tourist.

Culture tip

A Hotline That Never Sleeps

Sick and not sure where to go? The Japan Visitor Hotline (050-3816-2787), run by JNTO, answers 24/7 in English, Chinese and Korean, and can help you find a hospital that treats visitors. Save the number before you fly.

“The Japan Visitor Hotline answers 24/7 and can help you find a hospital that treats visitors.”

Practice scene

Something for a Headache

A big drugstore near Shinjuku Station. Your head is pounding and you have a photo of the painkiller you use at home.

Ms. Kato · Pharmacist

  1. irasshaimase. nanika osagashi desu ka?

    Hello. Are you looking for something?

  2. Your turn: Show her the photo of your usual painkiller and ask if they have it.

    kono kusuri wa arimasu ka?

    Do you have this medicine?

  3. moushiwake gozaimasen, onaji mono wa gozaimasen. donna shoujou desu ka?

    I'm sorry, we don't have that exact one. What are your symptoms?

  4. Your turn: Tell her you have a headache.

    atama ga itai desu

    I have a headache.

  5. zutsuu desu ne. kochira no kusuri wa ikaga desu ka?

    A headache, I see. How about this medicine?

  6. Your turn: Ask how much it is.

    ikura desu ka?

    How much is it?

  7. happyaku hachijuu en desu. shokugo ni nonde kudasai. odaiji ni.

    That's 880 yen. Take it after a meal. Feel better soon.

Phrases from Ekiben content v3