Japanese for Your Health Check in Japan (Kenkō Shindan and Ningen Dock)
If you work in Japan, your employer will usually arrange an annual health check (健康診断, kenkō shindan), and many people also choose a more detailed 人間ドック (ningen dock). Both follow a set route of stations: a questionnaire, height and weight, blood pressure, eyesight, a blood test, a urine test, a chest X-ray and often an ECG. The Japanese you need is mostly set words and short instructions. Fill in the questionnaire carefully, follow the fasting instructions, and bring the documents in your invitation. This guide explains the language, not medical advice.
Words at each station
| Japanese | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 問診票 | monshinhyō | Health questionnaire |
| 身長・体重 | shinchō, taijū | Height, weight |
| 血圧 | ketsuatsu | Blood pressure |
| 視力・聴力 | shiryoku, chōryoku | Eyesight, hearing |
| 採血 | saiketsu | Blood test (taking blood) |
| 尿検査 | nyō kensa | Urine test |
| 胸部レントゲン | kyōbu rentogen | Chest X-ray |
| 心電図 | shindenzu | ECG |
| 胃のバリウム検査・胃カメラ | i no bariumu kensa, i kamera | Barium X-ray, endoscopy (often in a ningen dock) |
Instructions you’ll hear
| Japanese | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 息を吸って、止めてください。 | iki o sutte, tomete kudasai. | Breathe in and hold your breath. |
| 楽にしてください。 | raku ni shite kudasai. | Relax. |
| 袖をまくってください。 | sode o makutte kudasai. | Please roll up your sleeve. |
| こちらでお待ちください。 | kochira de omachi kudasai. | Please wait here. |
| 前日の夜9時以降は食べないでください。 | zenjitsu no yoru kuji ikō wa tabenaide kudasai. | Don’t eat after 9pm the night before. (Times vary; follow your instructions.) |
Phrases you might need
| Japanese | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 英語の問診票はありますか？ | eigo no monshinhyō wa arimasu ka? | Do you have the questionnaire in English? |
| 薬を飲んでいます。 | kusuri o nonde imasu. | I take medication. |
| 採血で気分が悪くなることがあります。 | saiketsu de kibun ga waruku naru koto ga arimasu. | I sometimes feel faint during blood tests. |
| 妊娠している可能性があります。 | ninshin shite iru kanōsei ga arimasu. | I might be pregnant. (Important before X-rays.) |
| もう一度ゆっくりお願いします。 | mō ichido yukkuri onegaishimasu. | Once more slowly, please. |
Reading your results
Results usually arrive a few weeks later, with a grade for each item, often from A to E. Watch for 要再検査 (retest needed), 要精密検査 (further examination needed) and 要治療 (treatment needed); these mean you should book a follow-up at a clinic. If anything is unclear, ask the clinic or your doctor. See Japanese at the doctor.
How Hanabuddies can help
A native tutor can go through your questionnaire and the phrases with you online before the day. If you’d like someone with you, we provide English–Japanese interpreters in person or online; see interpreting for medical appointments in Japan. We are not medical professionals, and in an emergency call 119.