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B1 noun #7,000 most common 9 min read

糖尿病

tounyoubyou Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 糖尿病 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 糖尿病 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word '糖尿病' (diabetes) in your own speech, but it is helpful to recognize the kanji if you see it on a health form or a food label. You should focus on the individual components: 'sugar' (糖), 'urine' (尿), and 'illness' (病). At this stage, you might simply learn that it is a 'serious illness' (重い病気 - omoi byōki). If you need to talk about health, you would likely use simpler words like 'illness' (病気 - byōki) or 'unwell' (具合が悪い - guai ga warui). However, knowing the word exists helps you understand why Japanese people are so focused on 'sugar' (砂糖 - satō) in their food. You might see signs in Japanese pharmacies with this word. Just remember: it's a long word with three parts, and it's about health.

At the A2 level, you should be able to recognize '糖尿病' and understand its basic meaning in the context of health and daily life. You might encounter it in simple news stories or health brochures. You should learn the basic sentence pattern: 'I have [illness]' which is '私は[病気]です'. So, '私は糖尿病です' (I have diabetes). You can also start to use the word in the context of food preferences. For example, 'I can't eat sweets because of diabetes' (糖尿病なので、甘いものは食べられません). This level is about basic survival and communication regarding health needs. You should also be aware of the word 'kettōchi' (blood sugar levels) as it often appears alongside 'tōnyōbyō'. Focus on the pronunciation, ensuring you hold the long 'o' sounds.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use '糖尿病' more naturally in conversations about health and lifestyle. This is the target level for this word. You should understand the difference between 'Type 1' (1型) and 'Type 2' (2型) and be able to explain the concept of 'lifestyle diseases' (生活習慣病). You should use more advanced verbs like 'to be diagnosed with' (〜と診断される) or 'to suffer from' (〜を患う). You can discuss prevention (予防) and the importance of exercise (運動) and diet (食事). At this stage, you should also be comfortable reading short articles or listening to health segments on the radio where the word is used frequently. You are moving beyond just 'knowing' the word to 'using' it to describe complex health situations.

At the B2 level, you should have a comprehensive understanding of '糖尿病' and its implications in Japanese society. You should be able to discuss the social and economic impact of the disease, such as the rising healthcare costs for the aging population. You should be familiar with related medical terms like 'insulin' (インスリン), 'complications' (合併症), and 'hyperglycemia' (高血糖). You can participate in debates about food regulations or workplace health initiatives (like the Metabo check). Your use of the word should be grammatically precise, using correct particles and formal registers when speaking with medical professionals. You should also understand the historical context of the word and how it is portrayed in Japanese media.

At the C1 level, you can use '糖尿病' in academic or professional medical contexts. You understand the nuances between different types of diabetes and can discuss the physiological mechanisms of the disease in detail. You can read complex medical research papers or insurance policies that involve the term. You are also aware of the cultural sensitivities surrounding the word and can navigate delicate conversations with patients or their families. You can use idioms and metaphors related to health and illness fluently. Your vocabulary includes highly specialized terms like 'diabetic retinopathy' (糖尿病網膜症) or 'nephropathy' (腎症). You can synthesize information from various sources to provide a detailed explanation of the disease's prevalence in Japan.

At the C2 level, your mastery of '糖尿病' and related terminology is equivalent to that of a native speaker or a medical professional. You can engage in high-level discussions about endocrinology, public health policy, and the latest pharmacological treatments. You can interpret for others in a medical setting, ensuring that the nuances of 'tōnyōbyō' are accurately conveyed. You understand the etymological roots of the kanji and can discuss the evolution of the term from historical texts to modern medicine. You can write professional-grade articles or give presentations on the subject. Your understanding of the word is not just linguistic, but deeply integrated with a comprehensive knowledge of Japanese healthcare and social systems.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

糖尿病 in 30 Seconds

Diabetes (糖尿病) is a chronic condition defined by high blood sugar levels.
The Japanese name literally translates to 'sugar urine disease,' reflecting its diagnosis.
It is categorized as a lifestyle-related disease (生活習慣病) in Japan.
Management involves diet, exercise, and sometimes insulin or medication.

The term 糖尿病 (tōnyōbyō) is the Japanese medical and common term for diabetes mellitus. Linguistically, it is a compound noun consisting of three distinct kanji characters that describe the condition with startling clinical literalism. The first character, 糖 (tō), means sugar or glucose. The second, 尿 (nyō), means urine. The third, 病 (byō), means illness or disease. When combined, the word literally translates to 'sugar urine disease,' reflecting the historical method of diagnosing the condition by the presence of glucose in the patient's urine. In modern Japan, this word is ubiquitous in both medical settings and daily health-conscious conversations, as diabetes is a significant public health concern within the aging population.

Medical Classification: It is categorized under 生活習慣病 (seikatsu shūkan byō), which translates to 'lifestyle-related diseases.' This grouping includes hypertension and hyperlipidemia, emphasizing the connection between daily habits and health outcomes.
Social Context: In social settings, mentioning 糖尿病 often leads to discussions about diet, specifically the consumption of white rice and sweets, and the importance of regular exercise.

最近、健康診断で糖尿病の予備軍だと言われてしまいました。(Recently, I was told at my health checkup that I am pre-diabetic.)

Historically, the disease was known as 'the noble's disease' because it was associated with the wealthy who could afford refined foods. Famous historical figures like Fujiwara no Michinaga are believed to have suffered from its complications. Today, the term is used across all demographics. When a person is diagnosed, they are said to have 'become' the disease using the verb naru (糖尿病になる) or are described as 'suffering from' it using wazurau (糖尿病を患う). The nuance of the word is serious; it is not a term used lightly or in slang. It carries the weight of a lifelong commitment to health management, including blood sugar monitoring (血糖値の測定) and dietary restrictions (食事制限).

Understanding 糖尿病 is essential for anyone living in Japan, as it appears frequently on food labels (low sugar options), in television health segments, and in the mandatory annual health checkups (健康診断) provided by employers. The term is also subdivided into 1型 (Type 1) and 2型 (Type 2), which are critical distinctions in a clinical setting. For learners, mastering this word provides a gateway into discussing health, biology, and social habits in Japanese.

糖尿病の治療には、インスリン注射が必要な場合もあります。(In the treatment of diabetes, insulin injections are sometimes necessary.)

Kanji Breakdown: 糖 (Sugar) + 尿 (Urine) + 病 (Illness). This descriptive naming convention is common in Japanese medical terminology, making the meaning relatively easy to decipher for those with basic kanji knowledge.

Using 糖尿病 correctly involves understanding the specific verbs and particles that typically accompany medical conditions in Japanese. Unlike English, where we often say 'I have diabetes,' Japanese speakers use several different constructions depending on the formality and the specific stage of the illness. The most common way to describe having the condition is 糖尿病を患う (tōnyōbyō o wazurau), where 'wazurau' is a formal verb meaning 'to suffer from an illness.' In more casual or direct medical contexts, 糖尿病である (tōnyōbyō de aru) or 糖尿病です (tōnyōbyō desu) is used to state the diagnosis.

彼は長年、糖尿病と闘っています。(He has been fighting diabetes for many years.)

When discussing the onset of the disease, the verb naru (to become) is paired with the particle ni: 糖尿病になる. This is the standard way to say 'to get diabetes.' If you are talking about the risk or the state of being close to a diagnosis, the term yobigun (reserve army/pre-group) is used: 糖尿病予備軍 (tōnyōbyō yobigun). This is a very common term in health checkup results. For example, 'I was told I'm in the pre-diabetic group' would be 糖尿病予備軍だと言われました.

Grammar Pattern: Xの治療 (Treatment of X): When talking about managing the disease, we use the possessive particle 'no'. Example: 糖尿病の治療 (Treatment of diabetes), 糖尿病の薬 (Diabetes medication).
Grammar Pattern: Xを予防する (To prevent X): To prevent diabetes: 糖尿病を予防するために、運動をしています。(I exercise to prevent diabetes.)

In a clinical setting, a doctor might use the passive voice to discuss a diagnosis: 糖尿病と診断される (tōnyōbyō to shindan sareru), meaning 'to be diagnosed with diabetes.' The particle to here acts as a quotative or definitive marker. If you are discussing the complications resulting from the disease, you use the term gappōshō (complications): 糖尿病の合併症 (tōnyōbyō no gappōshō). This is a crucial phrase in advanced medical Japanese.

父は糖尿病なので、甘いものを控えています。(Since my father has diabetes, he is cutting back on sweets.)

The word 糖尿病 is not confined to the sterile halls of a hospital; it is a word that permeates Japanese society due to the nation's focus on preventative healthcare. One of the most common places you will encounter this word is during the 健康診断 (kenkō shindan), the mandatory annual health checkup for employees and students. On the results sheet, you will see a section for blood glucose (血糖) where 糖尿病 may be mentioned if the levels are high. Doctors will use it during consultations to explain risks associated with weight gain or poor diet.

テレビの健康番組で、糖尿病の特集が組まれていた。(A health program on TV featured a special segment on diabetes.)

Television is another major source. Japanese daytime TV is famous for 'Wide Shows' and health-themed variety programs (健康バラエティ番組) that frequently discuss lifestyle diseases. You will hear experts explain the mechanics of insulin (インスリン) and the dangers of 糖尿病 complications like retinopathy (網膜症) or neuropathy (神経障害). These programs often use simplified language, making it a great way for learners to hear the word in context. Furthermore, in pharmacies (薬局), you will see posters for 糖尿病 awareness month or brochures explaining how to use glucose monitors.

In the Supermarket: While the word itself might not be on every label, phrases like '糖質オフ' (sugar-off/low carb) are direct marketing responses to the prevalence of diabetes and the desire to prevent it.
Family Conversations: It is common for family members to discuss the health of elderly relatives. 'おじいちゃん、糖尿病の持病があるから...' (Since grandpa has a chronic condition of diabetes...) is a typical way the word appears in daily life.

In professional settings, particularly in the insurance or food industries, 糖尿病 is a key term in risk assessment and product development. If you work in a Japanese office, you might hear colleagues discussing their 'Metabo' (metabolic syndrome) check results, which is essentially a screening process for the precursors of diabetes. The word carries a nuance of 'manageable but serious,' and its frequent appearance in public discourse reflects Japan's proactive approach to managing the health of its citizens.

政府は糖尿病患者の増加を抑えるためのキャンペーンを行っています。(The government is conducting a campaign to suppress the increase in diabetes patients.)

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using the word 糖尿病 is related to pronunciation and the length of the vowels. Japanese is a mora-timed language, and the long vowels in tō (とう) and nyō (にょう) are critical. If you say 'tonyobyo' with short vowels, it may not be understood at all, or it might sound like a different, non-existent word. Another common error is the incorrect use of particles. Many learners try to translate 'I have diabetes' literally as '糖尿病を持っている' (tōnyōbyō o motte iru). While 'motsu' means to have/hold, it is rarely used for diseases in Japanese. Instead, use wazurau (to suffer from) or naru (to have become/have).

❌ 私は糖尿病を持っています。
✅ 私は糖尿病を患っています。

Confusion also arises regarding the kanji. Learners sometimes confuse 糖 (sugar) with 唐 (Tang/China) or 等 (etc./equal) because they share the same 'tō' reading. It's important to remember the 'rice' radical (米) on the left side of 糖, which signifies food or grain-based sugar. Similarly, the character for urine, 尿, contains the 'corpse/body' radical (尸) and 'water' (水), which is a helpful mnemonic but can be easily miswritten if not practiced.

Mistake: Confusing Type 1 and Type 2: In Japanese, these are 1型 (ichigata) and 2型 (nigata). Learners often forget to include the 'gata' (type) and just say 'ichi tōnyōbyō,' which is incorrect.
Mistake: Overusing the word in social settings: While health is a common topic, bluntly telling someone they might have 糖尿病 can be seen as very rude. It's better to talk about 'sugar intake' (糖分の取りすぎ) generally.

A subtle mistake involves the nuance of 'diabetes' in the West versus Japan. In some English-speaking cultures, there is a heavy stigma or sometimes a more casual attitude. In Japan, 糖尿病 is viewed very strictly as a 'lifestyle disease.' Therefore, suggesting someone has it can imply they have a poor lifestyle, which is a sensitive topic. Always use polite forms (desu/masu) when discussing this with anyone other than close friends or family.

❌ 糖尿病人
✅ 糖尿病の患者 (Diabetic patient)

While 糖尿病 is the specific name for the disease, there are several related terms and alternatives used depending on the context and the level of formality. Understanding these will help you navigate health discussions more naturally. A broader term often used by the media and government is 生活習慣病 (seikatsu shūkan byō), or 'lifestyle-related diseases.' This is an umbrella term that includes diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Using this term can make your speech sound more sophisticated and aware of public health trends.

高血糖 (kōkettō): This means 'hyperglycemia' or simply 'high blood sugar.' It is often used in medical reports to describe the state of the blood rather than the disease itself. 血糖値が高い (kettōchi ga takai) is the more common way to say this in daily life.
インスリン抵抗性 (insurin teikōsei): Insulin resistance. This is a technical term you will hear in hospitals or read in medical articles explaining the cause of Type 2 diabetes.

彼は糖尿病ではなく、単に血糖値が高いだけだと言い張っている。(He insists he doesn't have diabetes, just high blood sugar levels.)

Another term you might encounter is 代謝異常 (taisha ijō), which means 'metabolic disorder.' This is a very formal medical term. Conversely, in very casual settings, people might use the loanword メタボ (metabo), short for metabolic syndrome. While 'metabo' refers specifically to abdominal obesity and its associated risks, it is frequently used in the context of preventing diabetes. For example, 'I need to exercise because I'm getting metabo' (メタボになりそうだから運動しなきゃ).

Comparison: 糖尿病 vs. 高血糖: 糖尿病 is the chronic disease itself, whereas 高血糖 refers to the physiological state of having high sugar in the blood. You can have 高血糖 temporarily after a meal without having 糖尿病.
Comparison: 1型 vs. 2型: 1型 (Type 1) is often referred to as 'juvenile diabetes' (though this is becoming an older term), while 2型 (Type 2) is the lifestyle-related version. In Japanese, they are strictly distinguished in medical contexts.

糖尿病の予防には、糖分の控えめな食事が推奨されます。(A diet low in sugar is recommended for the prevention of diabetes.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

Before the term '糖尿病' became standard, it was sometimes referred to as 'Shōkatsu' (消渇), a term from traditional Chinese medicine meaning 'wasting and thirst.'

Pronunciation Guide

UK təʊ.njɔː.bjəʊ

US toʊ.njoʊ.bjoʊ

Flat pitch (Heiban style) in standard Japanese, but often slightly higher on 'nyō'.

Rhymes With

Kōkyō (Public) Sōkyō (Strong) Bōkyō (Nostalgia) Dōkyō (Taoism) Hōkyō (Mirror) Jōkyō (Situation) Rōkyō (Old age) Yōkyō (Entertainment)

Common Errors

Shortening the 'ō' sounds to 'o'.
Pronouncing 'nyō' as 'nio'.
Confusing the pitch accent, making it sound like 'tōnyō' (sugar-urine) is two separate words.
Mispronouncing 'byō' as 'bi-yo'.
Failing to aspirate the 't' correctly.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 7/5

The kanji are complex but descriptive and frequently seen.

Writing 8/5

Writing '糖' and '尿' correctly requires practice with stroke order.

Speaking 5/5

Pronunciation is straightforward if long vowels are respected.

Listening 4/5

Commonly heard in health contexts, making it easy to pick out.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

糖 (Sugar) 尿 (Urine) 病気 (Illness) 血 (Blood) 体 (Body)

Learn Next

インスリン (Insulin) 合併症 (Complications) 血糖値 (Blood sugar level) 食事制限 (Dietary restriction) 予防 (Prevention)

Advanced

網膜症 (Retinopathy) 腎症 (Nephropathy) 膵臓 (Pancreas) 代謝 (Metabolism) 慢性疾患 (Chronic disease)

Grammar to Know

〜を患う (wazurau)

彼は重い病気を患っている。

〜になる (naru)

風邪になった。(Got a cold.)

〜と診断される (to shindan sareru)

ガンと診断された。

〜の予防 (no yobō)

虫歯の予防に歯を磨く。

〜に伴う (nitomonau)

老化に伴う視力の低下。

Examples by Level

これは糖尿病の薬ですか？

Is this diabetes medicine?

Possessive particle 'no' connects diabetes and medicine.

糖尿病はこわい病気です。

Diabetes is a scary illness.

Simple A wa B desu structure.

父は糖尿病です。

My father has diabetes.

Stating a condition using 'desu'.

甘いものは糖尿病に悪いです。

Sweets are bad for diabetes.

Particle 'ni' indicates the object affected.

糖尿病の人は何を飲みますか？

What do people with diabetes drink?

Using 'no' to describe a person.

病院で糖尿病の検査をしました。

I had a diabetes test at the hospital.

Action in a location using 'de'.

これは糖尿病のための本です。

This is a book for diabetes.

'tame no' indicates purpose.

糖尿病を知っていますか？

Do you know about diabetes?

Direct object particle 'o'.

糖尿病にならないように、運動します。

I exercise so that I don't get diabetes.

'yō ni' shows intent or purpose.

祖父は糖尿病で入院しています。

My grandfather is hospitalized due to diabetes.

Particle 'de' indicates the reason/cause.

糖尿病の症状は何ですか？

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Asking for information about a noun.

健康診断で糖尿病と言われました。

I was told I have diabetes at my checkup.

Passive form 'iwaremashita'.

糖尿病予備軍と言われて、ショックでした。

I was shocked to be told I'm pre-diabetic.

'yobigun' is a specific term for 'reserve group/pre-diabetic'.

糖尿病の食事制限は大変です。

Dietary restrictions for diabetes are difficult.

Compound noun 'shokuji seigen'.

彼は糖尿病を治そうとしています。

He is trying to cure his diabetes.

Volitional form + 'to shite iru'.

糖尿病についてもっと知りたいです。

I want to know more about diabetes.

'nitsuite' means 'about'.

糖尿病を患っている人は、足の怪我に注意が必要です。

People suffering from diabetes need to be careful with foot injuries.

'wazurau' is a more formal verb for 'to suffer from'.

生活習慣を見直すことで、糖尿病を予防できます。

By reviewing your lifestyle, you can prevent diabetes.

'koto de' indicates the means or method.

彼女は1型の糖尿病だと診断されました。

She was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

'to shindan sareru' is the standard phrase for diagnosis.

糖尿病の合併症は非常に恐ろしいものです。

Complications of diabetes are very scary.

'gappōshō' is a key B1 medical term.

インスリンは糖尿病の治療に欠かせません。

Insulin is indispensable for diabetes treatment.

'kakasemasen' means 'cannot do without'.

糖尿病の患者数は年々増加しています。

The number of diabetes patients is increasing year by year.

'kanjasū' refers to the number of patients.

糖尿病になると、一生付き合っていかなければなりません。

Once you get diabetes, you have to live with it for the rest of your life.

'tsukiatte iku' implies managing or living with something over time.

血糖値をコントロールすることが、糖尿病管理の基本です。

Controlling blood sugar levels is the basis of diabetes management.

Nominalizing a verb phrase with 'koto'.

糖尿病の急増は、現代社会の食生活の変化に起因しています。

The surge in diabetes is caused by changes in modern society's eating habits.

'ni kiin shite iru' is a formal way to say 'is caused by'.

糖尿病網膜症は、失明の原因となる可能性があります。

Diabetic retinopathy can be a cause of blindness.

Specific medical term 'mōmakushō'.

政府は糖尿病対策として、特定健診を導入しました。

The government introduced specific health checkups as a measure against diabetes.

'toshite' means 'as' or 'in the capacity of'.

糖尿病治療の進歩により、患者のQOLは向上しています。

Due to progress in diabetes treatment, patients' QOL has improved.

Loanword 'QOL' (Quality of Life) is common in B2 medical contexts.

糖尿病を放置すると、腎不全などの深刻な事態を招きます。

Neglecting diabetes leads to serious situations such as kidney failure.

'hōchi suru' means to leave unattended or neglect.

この薬は糖尿病に伴う神経障害を緩和する効果があります。

This medicine is effective in alleviating neuropathy associated with diabetes.

'nitomonau' means 'accompanying' or 'associated with'.

糖尿病患者への心理的サポートも、治療の重要な一部です。

Psychological support for diabetes patients is also an important part of treatment.

'e no' shows the direction of the support.

糖尿病はもはや、個人の問題ではなく社会全体の問題です。

Diabetes is no longer just an individual problem but a problem for society as a whole.

'mohaya ... de wa nai' means 'is no longer'.

糖尿病の病態生理を深く理解することが、適切なケアに繋がります。

A deep understanding of the pathophysiology of diabetes leads to appropriate care.

Academic term 'byōtai seiri'.

インスリン抵抗性の改善が、2型糖尿病治療の主眼となります。

Improving insulin resistance is the primary focus of Type 2 diabetes treatment.

'shugan' means main aim or focus.

糖尿病性ケトアシドーシスは、緊急の医療措置を要する状態です。

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a condition that requires emergency medical action.

Highly technical medical term.

糖尿病の遺伝的要因と環境的要因の相互作用を研究しています。

We are researching the interaction between genetic and environmental factors of diabetes.

'sōgo sayō' means interaction.

糖尿病患者における低血糖のリスク管理は、極めて重要です。

Risk management of hypoglycemia in diabetes patients is extremely important.

'ni okeru' means 'in' or 'regarding'.

糖尿病の治療方針は、個々の患者のライフスタイルに合わせて策定されます。

Diabetes treatment policies are formulated according to each individual patient's lifestyle.

'sakutei sareru' means to be formulated or established.

糖尿病が引き起こす微小血管障害について論文を書いています。

I am writing a paper on microvascular disorders caused by diabetes.

'bishō kekkan shōgai' is a specialized term.

糖尿病の早期発見は、重症化を防ぐための鍵となります。

Early detection of diabetes is the key to preventing it from becoming severe.

'jūshōka' means to become more serious/severe.

糖尿病の蔓延は、公衆衛生上の喫緊の課題として認識されています。

The spread of diabetes is recognized as an urgent public health issue.

'man'en' (spread/prevalence) and 'kikkin' (urgent).

糖尿病の治療薬開発において、創薬ターゲットの特定が急務です。

In the development of diabetes drugs, identifying drug targets is an urgent task.

Business/Scientific register.

糖尿病と認知症の相関関係に関する最新の知見が発表されました。

The latest findings regarding the correlation between diabetes and dementia were announced.

'chiken' refers to expertise or findings.

糖尿病の自己管理を支援するためのデジタルヘルスの利活用が期待されています。

The utilization of digital health to support diabetes self-management is expected.

'ri-katsuyō' is a formal term for use/utilization.

糖尿病患者のスティグマ払拭に向けた社会的な取り組みが必要です。

Social efforts are needed to eliminate the stigma against diabetes patients.

'stigma fusshoku' (eradicating stigma).

糖尿病の寛解を目指す新たな治療アプローチが注目を浴びています。

New therapeutic approaches aiming for diabetes remission are attracting attention.

'kankai' (remission) is a precise medical term.

糖尿病の合併症による経済的損失は、国家予算を圧迫しかねません。

Economic losses due to diabetes complications could potentially strain national budgets.

'appaku shikanenai' means 'might exert pressure'.

糖尿病のエピジェネティクスに関する研究は、個別化医療の進展に寄与します。

Research on the epigenetics of diabetes contributes to the progress of personalized medicine.

'epigenetics' transliterated and 'kiyo suru' (contribute).

Common Collocations

糖尿病を患う

糖尿病になる

糖尿病と診断される

糖尿病の合併症

糖尿病の食事療法

糖尿病予備軍

糖尿病の治療

糖尿病を予防する

糖尿病の薬

糖尿病の専門医

Common Phrases

血糖値が高い

— Blood sugar levels are high. Often the first sign of diabetes.

血糖値が高いので、検査を受けました。

インスリン注射

— Insulin injection. A common treatment for diabetes.

彼は毎日、インスリン注射を打っています。

糖質制限

— Sugar/carb restriction. A common diet for managing diabetes.

糖尿病のために糖質制限をしています。

ヘモグロビンA1c

— HbA1c. A key blood test marker for long-term diabetes management.

ヘモグロビンA1cの値が下がりました。

教育入院

— Educational hospitalization. A short stay in a hospital to learn how to manage diabetes.

糖尿病の教育入院を勧められた。

足壊疽

— Foot gangrene. A severe complication of diabetes.

糖尿病が悪化して足壊疽になった。

人工透析

— Artificial dialysis. Often necessary if diabetes leads to kidney failure.

糖尿病から人工透析が必要になった。

低血糖発作

— Hypoglycemic attack. A sudden drop in blood sugar often caused by diabetes meds.

低血糖発作に備えて砂糖を持ち歩く。

食事のバランス

— Dietary balance. Essential for preventing diabetes.

糖尿病予防には食事のバランスが大切だ。

有酸素運動

— Aerobic exercise. Recommended for diabetes management.

有酸素運動は糖尿病に効果的だ。

Often Confused With

糖尿病 vs 尿崩症 (nyōhōshō)

Diabetes insipidus. A different, rarer condition related to water balance, not sugar.

糖尿病 vs 高血圧 (kōketsuatsu)

High blood pressure. Often occurs with diabetes but is a different condition.

糖尿病 vs 痛風 (tsūfū)

Gout. Another lifestyle disease, but related to uric acid, not sugar.

Idioms & Expressions

"贅沢病"

— The disease of luxury. An old idiom for diabetes because it was linked to rich foods.

昔、糖尿病は贅沢病と呼ばれていた。

Old-fashioned

"不治の病"

— Incurable disease. Used in the past to describe diabetes before insulin.

かつて糖尿病は不治の病だった。

Formal

"サイレントキラー"

— Silent killer. Used to describe diseases like diabetes that progress without symptoms.

糖尿病はサイレントキラーとして知られている。

Modern/Journalistic

"甘い誘惑"

— Sweet temptation. Often used in health magazines discussing diabetes and sweets.

糖尿病患者にとって、ケーキは甘い誘惑だ。

Casual

"腹八分目"

— Eating until 80% full. A traditional saying often given as advice to avoid diabetes.

糖尿病予防には腹八分目が一番だ。

Proverbial

"万病の元"

— The source of all diseases. Often said of high blood sugar or obesity.

高血糖は万病の元と言える。

Common Saying

"一病息災"

— Having one illness makes one take care of their health and live longer.

糖尿病をきっかけに健康に気をつけるのは、まさに一病息災だ。

Idiomatic

"口は災いの元"

— The mouth is the source of disaster. Used here to refer to overeating leading to diabetes.

糖尿病に関しては、まさに口は災いの元だ。

Proverbial

"自業自得"

— Getting what you deserve. Sometimes harshly used regarding Type 2 diabetes.

糖尿病を自業自得と言うのは偏見だ。

Harsh/Direct

"命の洗濯"

— A wash of life (refreshment). Used ironically when someone takes a break from a strict diet.

糖尿病だが、たまにはケーキを食べて命の洗濯をする。

Casual/Humorous

Easily Confused

糖尿病 vs 砂糖 (satō)

Both mean sugar.

'Satō' is table sugar; 'Tō' (in tōnyōbyō) is the chemical/biological term for sugar/glucose.

砂糖を控える (Cut back on table sugar) vs 血糖値 (Blood sugar level).

糖尿病 vs 病気 (byōki)

Both mean illness.

'Byōki' is general; 'Tōnyōbyō' is specific.

病気になる vs 糖尿病になる.

糖尿病 vs タイプ (taipu)

English speakers say 'Type 1'.

In Japanese, 'gata' (型) is used instead of 'taipu' (タイプ) for medical types.

1型 (Ichigata).

糖尿病 vs 持つ (motsu)

English speakers say 'I have...'

'Motsu' is for physical objects. For diseases, use 'desu' or 'wazurau'.

カバンを持つ vs 糖尿病である.

糖尿病 vs 甘い (amai)

Associated with sugar.

'Amai' is an adjective for taste. 'Tō' is the noun for the substance.

甘い菓子 vs 糖分.

Sentence Patterns

[Person] は糖尿病です。

田中さんは糖尿病です。

糖尿病のために [Action]。

糖尿病のために、毎日歩いています。

糖尿病と診断されました。

去年、糖尿病と診断されました。

糖尿病が悪化すると [Result]。

糖尿病が悪化すると、失明する恐れがあります。

糖尿病を予防するには [Condition] が必要だ。

糖尿病を予防するには、食生活の改善が必要だ。

糖尿病に起因する [Symptom]。

糖尿病に起因する腎不全。

[Factor] が糖尿病のリスクを高める。

肥満が糖尿病のリスクを高める。

糖尿病の蔓延を食い止める。

糖尿病の蔓延を食い止めるための政策。

Word Family

Nouns

糖 (Sugar)

尿 (Urine)

病 (Illness)

糖尿 (Sugar in urine)

Verbs

患う (To suffer from)

診断する (To diagnose)

予防する (To prevent)

Adjectives

糖尿病性の (Diabetic - formal)

糖分の高い (High in sugar)

血糖値 (Blood sugar level)

インスリン (Insulin)

膵臓 (Pancreas)

合併症 (Complications)

生活習慣病 (Lifestyle disease)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in health-related discussions and media.

Common Mistakes

糖尿病を持っている → 糖尿病を患っている / 糖尿病です
You don't 'hold' a disease in Japanese; you 'are' it or 'suffer' from it.
砂糖尿病 → 糖尿病
While 'satō' is sugar, the medical term uses the single kanji 'tō'.
tonyobyo (short vowels) → tōnyōbyō (long vowels)
Incorrect vowel length changes the word's rhythm and makes it hard to understand.
糖尿病に診断された → 糖尿病と診断された
The particle 'to' is used to indicate the content of the diagnosis.
1タイプ糖尿病 → 1型糖尿病
Use 'gata' (型) for medical types, not the loanword 'taipu'.

Tips

Rice and Diabetes

In Japan, white rice is a staple, but it's also a high-glycemic food. Many health discussions revolve around balancing rice intake to prevent diabetes.

Particles with Illness

Always use 'ni' with 'naru' (糖尿病になる) and 'o' with 'wazurau' (糖尿病を患う). This is a common test point for JLPT.

Yobigun

The word 'yobigun' (reserve army) is a unique Japanese way to describe people at risk. It's used for many things, but most commonly for diabetes.

Long Vowels

Don't rush the word. 'Tō-nyō-byō' should take about twice as long to say as 'to-nyo-byo'. This is the key to being understood.

HbA1c

If you are in Japan and talking to a doctor, they will focus on your HbA1c level. It's pronounced 'he-mo-gu-ro-bin ei-wan-shii'.

Kanji Radicals

The 'illness' radical (疒) is at the top of '病' (byō). You'll see this in almost every word related to sickness.

Sensitivity

Avoid saying 'You have diabetes' directly. Instead, say 'Is your blood sugar okay?' (血糖値は大丈夫ですか？) to be more polite.

Tōshitsu Off

Look for '糖質オフ' (sugar-off) or '糖質ゼロ' (sugar-zero) on beer and bread labels if you are managing your sugar.

The Noble's Disease

Remembering that it was once a 'rich man's disease' helps you understand why it's associated with refined foods like white rice and sweets.

Literalism

Japanese medical terms are often very literal. If you know the kanji for 'blood' (血) and 'pressure' (圧), you can guess 'high blood pressure' (高血圧).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Toe-Know-Bio'. Your 'Toe' (Tō) needs to 'Know' (Nyō) its 'Bio' (Byō) logy to avoid diabetes!

Visual Association

Imagine a sugar cube (糖) floating in a bottle of yellow urine (尿) while a sick person (病) looks on.

Word Web

Blood sugar Insulin Needle Diet Rice Hospital Checkup Pee

Challenge

Try to find three food items in a Japanese supermarket labeled '糖質ゼロ' (Zero sugar) and explain to a friend why they are good for 糖尿病.

Word Origin

The term was coined in the late 19th or early 20th century as a translation of the Western medical term 'diabetes mellitus.' It uses Kanji to describe the physiological symptoms known at the time.

Original meaning: Sugar in the urine disease.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Cultural Context

Be careful not to blame the patient. In Japan, there is a growing movement to change the name of the disease because 'Sugar Urine' sounds 'dirty' or 'shameful' to some.

In the West, Type 1 is often more visible in childhood, whereas in Japan, the focus is overwhelmingly on Type 2 as a national health crisis.

Fujiwara no Michinaga (Historical figure suspected of having it) In the manga 'Oishinbo,' health and diabetes are occasionally discussed in relation to food quality. Public service announcements featuring mascots often teach kids about 'Tōnyōbyō' prevention.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Hospital/Clinic

検査をお願いします
血糖値が高いです
薬を処方します
食事に気をつけてください

Health Checkup

予備軍ですね
再検査が必要です
数値を下げましょう
運動不足です

Pharmacy

インスリンはありますか
副作用はありますか
お薬手帳を出してください
食後に飲んでください

Family Dinner

糖分控えめだよ
お父さんは糖尿病だから
代わりにこれ食べて
食べ過ぎ厳禁

TV Health Segment

最新の研究では
合併症のリスク
歩くことが大切
糖質オフのレシピ

Conversation Starters

"最近、健康診断の結果はどうでしたか？糖尿病とか大丈夫でした？"

"私の家族には糖尿病の人がいるのですが、そちらはどうですか？"

"最近、糖質制限ダイエットが流行っていますが、糖尿病予防のためですか？"

"糖尿病にならないために、普段どんなことに気をつけていますか？"

"テレビで糖尿病の特集を見ましたが、インスリンの話は難しかったですね。"

Journal Prompts

もし糖尿病だと診断されたら、あなたの食生活はどう変わりますか？

日本人の糖尿病患者が増えている理由について、あなたの考えを書いてください。

健康診断の結果で一番気になる項目は何ですか？（糖尿病の数値など）

甘いものを控えるための良いアイデアを日本語でリストアップしてください。

あなたの国と日本で、糖尿病に対するイメージに違いはありますか？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It literally means 'Sugar Urine Disease' (糖 = sugar, 尿 = urine, 病 = illness). This is because historically, the presence of sugar in urine was the primary way to diagnose the condition.

No, it is a standard medical term. However, because it is a 'lifestyle disease,' some people might feel sensitive about the diagnosis. In polite conversation, focus on 'health' or 'sugar levels' rather than the disease name.

You say '私は2型糖尿病です' (Watashi wa nigata tōnyōbyō desu). Make sure to use 'gata' for 'type'.

Yes, the term is the same in veterinary medicine. 'うちの猫は糖尿病です' (My cat has diabetes).

There isn't a single word, but 'kenkō' (healthy) or 'hikettō' (non-diabetic) are used in contrast.

Not really, but people often talk about 'kettō' (blood sugar) as a shorthand for the topic.

It is very common. Millions of Japanese people are either diagnosed or considered 'pre-diabetic' (yobigun).

The most common are 'naru' (to get), 'wazurau' (to suffer from), and 'shindan sareru' (to be diagnosed).

Sometimes doctors refer to 'tōnyō' (sugar in urine) as a symptom, but the disease is always 'tōnyōbyō'.

For '糖', remember the 'rice' (米) radical. For '尿', it looks like water (水) coming out of a body (尸).