患う
When you feel unwell or get sick, in Japanese we use the verb 患う (わずらう). This word specifically means to suffer from an illness or to be afflicted by a disease.
It's a useful verb to know when talking about health. For example, if someone has a cold, you might say they are suffering from a cold.
Remember, it's generally used for physical ailments.
When discussing health, knowing how to express suffering from an illness is crucial. The verb 患う (わずらう) is a formal and somewhat archaic way to say "to suffer from (an illness)". You'll often hear it in more traditional or literary contexts. For everyday conversations, 病気にかかる (byōki ni kakaru), meaning "to contract an illness," or simply describing symptoms with verbs like ～が痛い (～ga itai) for "...hurts" are much more common.
While it's good to recognize 患う, focusing on more frequently used expressions for illness will be more practical for daily communication. Understanding the nuances of formality and usage frequency is key to sounding natural in Japanese.
§ What 患う (uzu) means
- Japanese Word
- 患う (uzu)
- Definition
- To suffer from (an illness). This verb specifically refers to being afflicted with a disease or medical condition. It's often used for chronic or serious illnesses.
§ Examples of 患う (uzu) in use
彼は長い間、心臓病を患っている。
- Hint
- He has been suffering from heart disease for a long time.
彼女は精神的な病気を患っているため、休職している。
- Hint
- She is on leave from work because she is suffering from a mental illness.
最近、多くの人がアレルギーを患っています。
- Hint
- Recently, many people are suffering from allergies.
§ Similar words and when to use 患う (uzu) vs alternatives
When you're talking about being sick in Japanese, you have a few options. Understanding the nuances will help you sound more natural. Let's compare 患う with some other common words.
- 患う (uzu): This is your go-to for suffering from a specific illness or disease, especially chronic or serious ones. It implies a deeper, more prolonged affliction. It's formal and often used in medical contexts or when discussing health conditions seriously. You wouldn't typically use this for a common cold.
- 病む (yamu): This is a more general verb meaning 'to fall ill,' 'to be ill,' or 'to suffer.' It can be used for both physical and mental ailments, and it's broader than 患う. While 患う focuses on the *state* of suffering from a disease, 病む can refer to the *act* of getting sick or simply being in a state of illness. It can be used for less severe conditions too.
彼は精神的に病んでいる。
- Hint
- He is mentally suffering (or ill).
- 風邪を引く (kaze o hiku): This specific phrase means 'to catch a cold.' You absolutely would not use 患う for a cold. This is for temporary, common illnesses.
昨日から風邪を引いています。
- Hint
- I've had a cold since yesterday.
- 具合が悪い (guai ga warui): This means 'to feel unwell' or 'to not feel good.' It's a very general and common way to express that you're not feeling well, without specifying an illness. It's often used for mild discomfort or general malaise.
少し具合が悪いです。
- Hint
- I'm feeling a little unwell.
To summarize, use 患う when you want to convey that someone is suffering from a specific, often long-term or serious, illness. It carries a more formal and clinical tone than other expressions of being unwell.
دليل النطق
- wazurau
أمثلة حسب المستوى
彼は肺の病を患っている。
He is suffering from a lung disease.
「を患う」is a common pattern to express suffering from an illness.
彼女は心臓病を患って以来、生活習慣を変えた。
Since she suffered from heart disease, she changed her lifestyle habits.
「患って以来」means 'since suffering from'.
多くの人がストレス関連の病気を患っています。
Many people are suffering from stress-related illnesses.
「患っています」is the continuous form, indicating an ongoing state.
祖父は長年、糖尿病を患っていた。
My grandfather suffered from diabetes for many years.
「患っていた」is the past continuous form.
精神的な病を患う人も少なくありません。
There are not a few people who suffer from mental illness.
「人も少なくありません」means 'there are many people too' or 'not a few people'.
彼は若い頃から持病を患っている。
He has been suffering from a chronic illness since he was young.
「持病」means chronic illness.
この地域では、特定の病気を患う人が多い。
In this region, many people suffer from a specific illness.
「特定の病気」means 'specific illness'.
早期発見ができれば、患う期間を短くできるかもしれない。
If it can be detected early, the period of suffering might be shortened.
「患う期間」means 'the period of suffering'.
تلازمات شائعة
العبارات الشائعة
彼は長い間、重い病気を患っていた。
He suffered from a serious illness for a long time.
彼女は心を患い、仕事に行けなくなった。
She suffered mentally and couldn't go to work.
祖父は持病を患っている。
My grandfather suffers from a chronic illness.
多くの人が精神的な問題を患っている。
Many people suffer from mental problems.
彼は病に倒れ、しばらくの間患った。
He fell ill and suffered for a while.
あの歌手は不治の病を患っていると報じられた。
That singer was reported to be suffering from an incurable disease.
彼女は幼い頃からこの病気を患っている。
She has been suffering from this disease since childhood.
体を患うと、日常生活も大変になる。
When you suffer physically, daily life also becomes difficult.
病気で患っている人々に手を差し伸べたい。
I want to reach out to people who are suffering from illness.
彼が患っているとは知らなかった。
I didn't know he was suffering (from an illness).
نصائح
Basic Meaning of 患う
患う (わずらう) means to suffer from an illness or to be afflicted by a disease. It's used when someone is experiencing health problems.
Common Usage Patterns
You'll often see it used with the particle 「に」 to indicate the specific illness. For example, 「病気に患う」 (byōki ni wazurau) means to suffer from a disease.
Nuance Compared to 病気 (byōki)
While 病気 (byōki) is a general term for illness or sickness, 患う (wazurau) emphasizes the act of suffering or being afflicted by it. It suggests a more prolonged or serious condition.
Past Tense Usage
To say someone suffered from an illness in the past, you'd use the past tense: 「患った」 (wazuratta). For example, 「彼は重い病気に患った」 (kare wa omoi byōki ni wazuratta) means He suffered from a serious illness.
Formal Context
患う is a relatively formal word. In casual conversation, people might use simpler phrases like 「病気になった」 (byōki ni natta - got sick) or 「体が悪い」 (karada ga warui - feel unwell).
Not Just Physical Illness
While primarily for physical ailments, 患う can sometimes be used metaphorically for mental suffering or being troubled by a problem, though this is less common than for physical illness.
Associated Kanji
The kanji 患 (kan) itself means affliction, sickness, or trouble. Understanding this kanji can help you remember the meaning of 患う.
Examples in Context
「彼女は心臓病を患っている」 (Kanojo wa shinzōbyō o wazuratte iru.) - She is suffering from heart disease. Here, 「を」 is sometimes used with the illness when it's the direct object of suffering.
Reading Practice
Look for 患う in medical news or health-related articles to see how it's used in real-world contexts. This will help you get comfortable with its natural usage.
Distinguish from 悩む (nayamu)
悩む (nayamu) means to be worried or troubled, usually mentally or emotionally, without implying a physical illness. 患う specifically refers to an illness or disease.
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلة患う (わずらう) specifically means 'to suffer from an illness.' While there are other words like 病気 (byouki - sick, illness) or 体調が悪い (taichou ga warui - feeling unwell), 患う often implies a more prolonged or serious condition. You wouldn't typically use 患う for a common cold, for example.
Generally, 患う (わずらう) is used for physical illnesses. While you might hear it metaphorically for mental suffering, it's less common and often sounds a bit formal or old-fashioned in that context. Stick to physical ailments for everyday use.
A polite way to ask is 「どちらかお体を患っていらっしゃいますか？」 (Dochiraka o karada o wazuratte irasshaimasu ka?) which means 'Are you suffering from an illness somewhere in your body?' However, it's quite formal. More common and less direct ways to inquire about someone's health include 「体調はいかがですか？」 (Taichou wa ikaga desu ka? - How is your physical condition?) or 「お加減はいかがですか？」 (Okagen wa ikaga desu ka? - How are you feeling?).
患う (わずらう) is a formal verb. You'll definitely encounter it in news, medical contexts, or literature. In daily conversation, people often use phrases like 「病気になった」 (byouki ni natta - got sick) or describe symptoms directly. It's good to recognize, but you might not use it actively as much as other words for 'sick.'
The kanji 患 itself is the key element here. It means 'affliction' or 'suffer.' You'll often see it in words like 疾患 (shikkan - disease) or 患者 (kanja - patient).
Yes, 患う (わずらう) can be used for animals suffering from an illness. For example, 「犬が病気を患っている」 (Inu ga byouki o wazuratte iru) means 'The dog is suffering from an illness.'
One common mistake is using 患う (わずらう) too casually or for minor ailments. Remember, it implies a more serious or prolonged condition. Also, confusing its formality can lead to awkward phrasing. Stick to more common terms for simple sicknesses.
Here are a couple of examples:
1. 彼は長い間、心臓病を患っている。(Kare wa nagai aida, shinzoubyou o wazuratte iru.) - He has been suffering from heart disease for a long time.
2. 彼女は若くして難病を患った。(Kanojo wa wakaku shite nanbyou o wazuratta.) - She suffered from an intractable disease at a young age.
The plain past tense form of 患う (わずらう) is 患った (わずらった). The polite past tense is 患いました (わずらいました).
The kanji 患 in 患う (わずらう) is the same kanji found in 患者 (kanja - patient). This clearly shows the connection: a 患者 (patient) is someone who 患う (suffers from an illness).
اختبر نفسك 72 أسئلة
Someone has a fever.
Someone's stomach hurts.
Someone has a headache.
Read this aloud:
ねつがあります。
Focus: ねつ (netsu)
قلت:
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Read this aloud:
おなかがいたいです。
Focus: おなか (onaka)
قلت:
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Read this aloud:
あたまがいたいです。
Focus: あたま (atama)
قلت:
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Choose the correct particle to complete the sentence: 彼は病気___患っています。
When expressing 'suffering from an illness,' the particle 'に' (ni) is typically used with 患う (uzu). (He is suffering from an illness.)
Which word means 'to suffer from an illness'?
患う (uzu) specifically means 'to suffer from (an illness).' The other options mean 'to eat,' 'to read,' and 'to sleep' respectively.
Choose the best English translation for: 彼女は風邪を患っています。
患う (uzu) means 'to suffer from an illness,' so '風邪を患っています' translates to 'suffering from a cold.'
患う (uzu) is used to talk about suffering from an illness.
Yes, 患う (uzu) is the verb used to express suffering from an illness.
You can use 患う (uzu) to say you are suffering from hunger.
No, 患う (uzu) is specifically for illnesses. For hunger, you would use expressions like お腹が空いている (onaka ga suite iru) or 飢える (ueru).
The sentence '彼は頭痛を患っています' means 'He has a headache.'
Yes, '頭痛 (zutsū)' means headache, so '頭痛を患っています' means 'suffering from a headache,' which is the same as 'having a headache.'
I have a cold.
He has been suffering from an illness for a long time.
My grandmother suffers from heart disease.
Read this aloud:
あなたはどんな病気を患っていますか？
Focus: どんな病気
قلت:
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Read this aloud:
彼はインフルエンザを患っています。
Focus: インフルエンザ
قلت:
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Read this aloud:
彼女はアレルギーを患っています。
Focus: アレルギー
قلت:
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Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 彼は重い病気に＿＿＿。
「患う」は病気にかかる、苦しむという意味の動詞です。文脈上、彼は重い病気にかかっている、と表現するのが適切です。
Which sentence correctly uses 「患う」?
「患う」は病気や精神的な苦痛に対して使います。他の選択肢は文脈に合いません。
Select the antonym for 「患う」 in the context of health:
「患う」は病気で苦しむことを意味するので、その反対は健康であることです。
「患う」は、健康な状態を表現する際に使う動詞である。
「患う」は病気や苦痛がある状態を表す動詞であり、健康な状態とは反対です。
「彼は癌を患っている」という文は、彼が癌にかかっていることを意味する。
「患う」は病気にかかることを意味するため、「彼は癌を患っている」は彼が癌にかかっている状態を正しく表現しています。
「風邪を患う」という表現は一般的によく使われる。
「風邪を患う」は不自然な表現です。通常は「風邪をひく」を使います。「患う」はより重い病気や慢性的な病気に対して使われることが多いです。
He had been suffering from an illness for a long time.
My grandmother suffers from heart disease.
Recently, many people are suffering from stress-related illnesses.
Read this aloud:
彼は風邪を患っています。
Focus: かぜをわずらっています
قلت:
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Read this aloud:
彼女はアレルギーを患っています。
Focus: アレルギーをわずらっています
قلت:
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Read this aloud:
その病気で多くの人が患いました。
Focus: おおくのひとがわずらいました
قلت:
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This sentence means 'He is suffering from a mental illness.' The word 患っている (uneratteiru) is the progressive form of 患う (unerau), meaning 'to suffer from.'
This sentence means 'My grandmother had been suffering from an illness for a long time.' 患っていた (uneratteita) is the past progressive form of 患う (unerau).
This sentence means 'Many people are suffering from insomnia.' 不眠症 (fuminshō) means 'insomnia.'
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 彼は病気で長い間___。
The sentence indicates a long period of suffering from an illness, making '患っていました' (was suffering from) the correct choice.
Which sentence correctly uses '患う'?
'患う' is used to describe suffering from an illness, making '彼女は心の病を患っている' (She is suffering from a mental illness) the correct usage.
If someone '患っている' an illness, what are they most likely experiencing?
'患う' specifically refers to suffering from an illness, which involves discomfort or distress.
You can use '患う' to describe someone who is enjoying their vacation.
'患う' is exclusively used for suffering from an illness, not for enjoyable experiences.
The verb '患う' is typically used when talking about experiencing a minor cold.
While it can be used for illnesses, '患う' often implies a more serious or prolonged condition than a minor cold, which might use '風邪をひく' (to catch a cold).
If a person '病気を患っている', it means they are currently healthy.
'病気を患っている' means 'to be suffering from an illness', indicating they are not healthy.
What kind of illness is he suffering from?
What is mentioned about the duration and type of her illness?
What common condition are many people suffering from?
Read this aloud:
インフルエンザを患う人が増えています。
Focus: インフルエンザ (infuruenza)
قلت:
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Read this aloud:
祖父は胃の病気を患っていた時期がありました。
Focus: 患っていた (waratteita)
قلت:
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Read this aloud:
ストレスからくる病気を患う人も少なくありません。
Focus: ストレス (sutoresu)
قلت:
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Imagine you have a friend who is suffering from a common cold. Write a short email (2-3 sentences) to them, expressing your sympathy and wishing them a quick recovery. Use 患う.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
〇〇さん、風邪を患っていると聞きました。お辛いでしょうが、早く良くなることを願っています。お大事にしてくださいね。
You are writing a diary entry about someone you know who has been suffering from a long-term illness. Write 2-3 sentences describing their situation and your feelings. Use 患う.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
最近、祖母が病気を患っていて、とても心配だ。彼女はいつも元気だったのに、今はほとんど家から出られない。早く良くなってほしいと願うばかりだ。
Write a short news headline (one sentence) about a public figure who is suffering from an unspecified illness and has cancelled upcoming appearances. Use 患う.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
有名歌手、体調不良を患い、全国ツアーを一時休止。
田中さんは何にためらっていますか？
Read this passage:
田中さんは去年から心臓の病気を患っています。医者の診断では、手術が必要だと言われました。しかし、田中さんは手術をためらっています。その理由は、手術のリスクと、術後の生活への不安からです。
田中さんは何にためらっていますか？
パッセージに「田中さんは手術をためらっています」と明確に記載されています。
パッセージに「田中さんは手術をためらっています」と明確に記載されています。
猫が食欲不振を患っている原因は何だと推測されていますか？
Read this passage:
近所の猫が最近、食欲不振を患っています。動物病院に連れて行ったところ、獣医さんはストレスが原因ではないかと話していました。飼い主は猫の環境改善に取り組んでいます。
猫が食欲不振を患っている原因は何だと推測されていますか？
「獣医さんはストレスが原因ではないかと話していました」と書かれています。
「獣医さんはストレスが原因ではないかと話していました」と書かれています。
彼女が春先に外出を控える主な理由は何ですか？
Read this passage:
彼女は長年、アレルギーを患っており、特に春先は花粉症がひどくなります。そのため、この時期は外出を控え、室内で過ごすことが多いです。薬も欠かせません。
彼女が春先に外出を控える主な理由は何ですか？
「特に春先は花粉症がひどくなります。そのため、この時期は外出を控え」とあります。
「特に春先は花粉症がひどくなります。そのため、この時期は外出を控え」とあります。
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 彼は重い病気に＿＿＿。
「患う」は病気にかかっている状態を表します。「苦しむ」は肉体的・精神的な苦痛を、「悩む」は精神的な問題を、「疲れる」は肉体的な疲労を表します。ここでは病気の状態を表す「患っている」が適切です。
Which sentence correctly uses 「患う」?
「患う」は病気や疾患に対して使われる動詞です。ゲームや映画、人に対して使うのは不適切です。
Choose the sentence that means 'He is suffering from a serious illness.'
「患う」は「〜を患う」の形で、病気にかかっている状態を表します。「苦しむ」「悩む」「疲れる」も関連する意味ですが、直接的に病気にかかっていることを表すのは「患う」です。
「患う」 can be used to describe someone suffering from a broken heart.
「患う」は物理的な病気だけでなく、精神的な病気や心の状態にも使われます。例えば、「心の病を患う」のように使えます。
「患う」 is typically used for minor discomforts like a headache after a long day.
「患う」は比較的に重い病気や、慢性的な病気、あるいは精神的な病気に対して使われることが多いです。一時的な軽い頭痛などにはあまり使いません。
When someone '患う's, it implies they have a medical condition that needs attention.
「患う」という言葉は、何らかの病気や疾患にかかっている状態を指すため、通常は医療的な介入や注意が必要な状況を暗示します。
This sentence means 'He is suffering from a mental illness.' The natural order is subject-object-verb.
This sentence means 'She had been suffering from an intractable disease for a long time.' The adverbial phrase '長い間' comes after the subject.
This sentence means 'That doctor has seen many patients suffering from various illnesses.' The structure involves a subordinate clause describing what the doctor has seen.
He suffered from an incurable disease and grew weaker day by day.
His chronic illness, which he had suffered from for many years, worsened, forcing him to be hospitalized.
Since suffering from a heart condition, I've been refraining from strenuous exercise like before.
Read this aloud:
友人は精神的な病を患い、しばらく休職することになった。
Focus: 患い (わずらい)
قلت:
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Read this aloud:
祖父は重い病を患っていましたが、最期まで気丈に振る舞いました。
Focus: 患って (わずらって)
قلت:
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Read this aloud:
彼女はアレルギーを患っており、特定の食べ物を避けています。
Focus: 患っており (わずらっており)
قلت:
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/ 72 correct
Perfect score!
Basic Meaning of 患う
患う (わずらう) means to suffer from an illness or to be afflicted by a disease. It's used when someone is experiencing health problems.
Common Usage Patterns
You'll often see it used with the particle 「に」 to indicate the specific illness. For example, 「病気に患う」 (byōki ni wazurau) means to suffer from a disease.
Nuance Compared to 病気 (byōki)
While 病気 (byōki) is a general term for illness or sickness, 患う (wazurau) emphasizes the act of suffering or being afflicted by it. It suggests a more prolonged or serious condition.
Past Tense Usage
To say someone suffered from an illness in the past, you'd use the past tense: 「患った」 (wazuratta). For example, 「彼は重い病気に患った」 (kare wa omoi byōki ni wazuratta) means He suffered from a serious illness.
مثال
彼は重い病気を患っている。
محتوى ذو صلة
مزيد من كلمات health
しばらく
B1For a while, for some time.
異変がある
B1To have an unusual change or abnormality.
異常な
B1Abnormal; unusual; irregular.
擦り傷
B1Scratch, graze, abrasion.
吸収する
B1To absorb.
禁酒
B1Abstinence from alcohol; the act of refraining from alcohol.
痛む
A2to hurt; to ache
鍼灸
B1Acupuncture and moxibustion; traditional Chinese medicine treatments.
急性的
B1Acute.
急性な
B1Acute
