Japanese for Doctors, Nurses and Healthcare Staff with Japanese Patients
Doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff who see Japanese patients, whether abroad or in Japan, benefit most from a focused set of Japanese: greetings and reassurance, simple questions about symptoms and pain, body parts, and clear instructions for medicine and follow-up. Basic Japanese builds trust and helps in the moment, but for consent, diagnosis and anything complex, follow your workplace’s policy on qualified interpreters rather than relying on your own language skills.
Phrases that put patients at ease
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 今日はどうされましたか。 | What brings you in today? |
| どこが痛いですか。 | Where does it hurt? |
| いつからですか。 | Since when? |
| 痛みは1から10でどのくらいですか。 | On a scale of 1 to 10, how bad is the pain? |
| アレルギーはありますか。 | Do you have any allergies? |
| 少しチクッとします。 | You’ll feel a small sting. |
| 大丈夫ですよ。 | It’s all right. (reassurance) |
How Japanese patients may describe symptoms
Japanese patients often use onomatopoeia for pain: ズキズキ (throbbing), チクチク (prickling), ガンガン (pounding headache) and キリキリ (sharp, griping). Knowing these helps you understand what they mean. See Japanese onomatopoeia and our patient-side guide to Japanese at the doctor.
Cultural points in the consultation
- Some patients understate pain or avoid asking questions so as not to trouble the doctor. Ask directly and give them time.
- Nodding often means “I’m listening”, not “I agree” or “I understand”. Check understanding with open questions.
- Family members may expect to be closely involved in decisions.
- Patients may be used to receiving more medicine, or different medicine, than you prescribe, so explain your reasons.
Instructions and written information
Written instructions in Japanese for medicines, wound care and follow-up appointments reduce mistakes. Keep sentences short, and have materials translated and checked by a native speaker. Patients who bring Japanese medical records can have them translated for reference; see translating Japanese medical records.
When to use an interpreter
Use a qualified interpreter, in line with your hospital’s policy, for consent, diagnoses, treatment options, end-of-life conversations and whenever the patient seems unsure. Our guide to working with a Japanese interpreter has tips on speaking through one.
How Hanabuddies can help
A native tutor can build a course around your specialty: patient greetings, history-taking, examination instructions and reassurance, practised through role-play at times that fit your shifts. We can also translate patient leaflets and instructions into natural Japanese. This guide is not medical advice.