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A1 noun #3,210 most common 13 min read

疾患

shikkan Top 3,210

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 疾患 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 疾患 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you usually learn very simple words for being sick, like 'byōki' or 'kaze' (cold). However, you might see the word 'shikkan' (疾患) on official forms at a doctor's office or on a health poster. At this stage, you should understand that 'shikkan' is just a fancy, professional way to say 'illness' or 'disease'. You don't need to use it in your own speaking yet, but recognizing it will help you understand that a document is talking about medical matters. Think of it like the difference between saying 'I'm sick' and 'I have a medical condition'. In A1, we focus on recognizing the kanji: 疾 (sick) and 患 (afflicted). Even if you can't write them, knowing they mean 'illness' is a great start. If you see 'shikkan' on a form, it's asking about your health history. It is a noun, and it describes something wrong with the body that a doctor has named. Don't worry about the complex grammar yet; just link the sound 'shikkan' and the kanji '疾患' to the idea of a 'serious doctor's word for sickness'.

At the A2 level, you are starting to handle more specific situations, like going to a clinic. You might hear a doctor say 'shikkan' when they are explaining a diagnosis. For example, 'shinzō no shikkan' means 'a heart disease'. At this level, you should be able to identify that 'shikkan' is used for more formal or long-term problems, not just a small cold. You can start using it in very simple sentences if you want to sound more polite or professional, such as 'Kore wa nan no shikkan desu ka?' (What kind of disease is this?). You will also see this word in health-related news headlines. It is important to know that it is a noun and usually comes before particles like 'ga' or 'no'. You are moving beyond just 'feeling bad' to identifying 'a condition'. Learning this word helps you bridge the gap between 'survival Japanese' and 'functional Japanese' for health and safety. You might also notice it in compounds like 'seishin shikkan' (mental health condition) on posters about wellness. At A2, your goal is to distinguish 'shikkan' from 'byōki' based on how formal the situation is.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'shikkan' (疾患) in discussions about health and social issues. You are now expected to understand the nuance that 'shikkan' refers to a pathologically defined condition. For instance, when discussing 'lifestyle-related diseases' (seikatsu shūkan-byō), you might use 'shikkan' to discuss the medical research behind them. You should be comfortable with phrases like 'kiso shikkan' (underlying condition), which is common in news reports. You can also use it to describe chronic conditions that require long-term hospital visits (tsūin). Grammatically, you can now pair it with more complex verbs like 'wazurau' (to suffer from) or 'shindan sareru' (to be diagnosed with). At this level, you are expected to read short articles or brochures from a hospital that use this word frequently. You should also be able to explain the difference: 'Byōki' is the general state, while 'shikkan' is the clinical name for the trouble. This distinction shows that you have reached an intermediate level of linguistic awareness, allowing you to choose the right 'register' (formal vs. informal) for the situation.

At the B2 level, 'shikkan' (疾患) becomes a standard part of your vocabulary for academic or professional discussions. You should be able to use it fluently when discussing topics like public health, medical technology, or insurance. You will encounter it in complex compounds such as 'shinkansenshō' (emerging infectious diseases) or 'nanbyō' (intractable diseases). You should understand how it functions in formal writing, such as using it as a subject in a passive sentence: 'Sono shikkan wa densensuru to kangaerarete iru' (That disease is thought to be contagious). You can also discuss the socio-economic impact of various 'shikkan' on the elderly population in Japan. At this stage, you should have a firm grasp of the collocations, such as 'shikkan no hasshō' (onset of a disease) and 'shikkan no chiryō-hō' (treatment method for a disease). You are no longer just recognizing the word; you are using it to build logical arguments about health policy or medical ethics. Your ability to use 'shikkan' correctly in a formal presentation or report is a key indicator of your B2 proficiency.

At the C1 level, you are expected to have a near-native understanding of 'shikkan' (疾患) and its place in medical and legal discourse. You can distinguish between 'shikkan', 'shippei', and 'shōgai' with precision. You understand that 'shikkan' is the clinical entity, 'shippei' is the administrative/legal entity, and 'shōgai' is the functional impairment. You can engage in high-level debates about medical topics, such as the classification of new mental health disorders or the ethics of genetic screening for hereditary 'shikkan'. You are familiar with technical variations like 'tokutei shikkan' (specifically designated diseases that receive government subsidies). In your writing, you use 'shikkan' to maintain a consistent academic tone, avoiding 'byōki' unless you are quoting a patient. You can read and synthesize information from medical journals (Igaku Zasshi) where 'shikkan' is used to describe cellular-level pathologies. Your vocabulary is rich enough to use related terms like 'shikkan-gun' (a group of related diseases) or 'shikkan-gainen' (the concept of a disease). At C1, your use of this word is effortless and contextually perfect.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'shikkan' (疾患) is absolute. You can use the word in any context, including highly specialized medical research, legal drafting, or philosophical inquiries into the nature of health. You understand the historical evolution of the term and how its usage has changed in Japanese medical history. You can discuss the nuances of 'shikkan' in the context of ICD (International Classification of Diseases) codes and how Japanese medical terminology aligns with international standards. You are capable of writing professional medical reports, peer-reviewed papers, or legal opinions involving health conditions. You can also use the word metaphorically or in complex socio-political critiques, such as discussing 'shakai-teki shikkan' (societal disorders/maladies) in a sociological treatise. Your understanding extends to the most obscure compounds and the subtle differences in connotation between 'shikkan' and its synonyms in every possible dialect or specialized field. At this level, you are not just a learner; you are a proficient user of the Japanese language who can operate at the highest levels of professional and intellectual life.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

疾患 in 30 Seconds

A formal medical term for 'disease' or 'disorder' used in clinical and professional settings.
Distinguished from the common 'byōki' by its technical precision and objective diagnostic tone.
Commonly found in medical forms, research papers, news reports, and health insurance documents.
Essential for discussing chronic, hereditary, or systemic conditions in a professional Japanese context.

The Japanese word 疾患 (しっかん - shikkan) is a highly formal and precise term used to describe a medical condition, disease, or disorder. While the average person might use the word byōki (病気) to talk about being sick or having a cold, shikkan is the term you will encounter in professional medical documents, clinical research, insurance paperwork, and formal news reports. It specifically refers to a pathological change in the body or mind that has been diagnosed or categorized by medical science. Understanding this word is essential for anyone navigating the Japanese healthcare system or reading technical literature, as it carries a weight of clinical authority that more common words lack.

Clinical Precision: Unlike general terms for illness, shikkan implies a specific diagnosis. It is used to categorize diseases into groups, such as 'cardiovascular disorders' (心疾患 - shin-shikkan) or 'mental disorders' (精神疾患 - seishin-shikkan). It views the condition as a biological or psychological entity rather than just a state of feeling unwell.
Formal Register: You will rarely hear shikkan in casual conversation between friends. If a friend has a cold, they say 'kaze'. If they have a long-term condition, they might say 'byōki'. However, when a doctor explains a chronic condition to a patient or when a government health advisory is issued, shikkan is the preferred term because of its objective and professional tone.
Scope of Use: The term covers a wide range of ailments, from physical organ failures to psychiatric conditions. It is frequently paired with specific body parts or systems to create compound nouns that define entire fields of medicine.

彼は特定の疾患のために通院している。
(Kare wa tokutei no shikkan no tame ni tsūin shite iru.)
He is visiting the hospital for a specific medical disorder.

In a broader sense, shikkan represents the shift from a personal experience of suffering to an objective medical observation. When a doctor uses this word, they are looking at the patient through the lens of pathology. This is why it is so common in 'lifestyle-related diseases' (生活習慣病 - seikatsu shūkan byō), which are often referred to as 'lifestyle-related disorders' (生活習慣に関連する疾患) in more academic or policy-oriented contexts. The nuance is that a shikkan is something that can be identified, tracked, and treated according to standardized medical protocols.

その疾患の初期症状は見逃されやすい。
(Sono shikkan no shoki shōjō wa minogasare yasui.)
The early symptoms of that disease are easy to overlook.

One must also consider the etymology. The first kanji, 疾 (shitsu), means 'illness' or 'fast' (as in 'shissō', to dash), suggesting an ailment that strikes or takes hold. The second kanji, 患 (kan), means 'afflicted' or 'to suffer from'. Together, they create a word that literally translates to 'the state of being afflicted by an illness'. This historical context reinforces its use as a noun that identifies the disease itself as the subject of study. In modern Japan, you will see this word on posters in pharmacies, on health insurance claim forms (診療報酬明細書), and in the titles of medical textbooks. It is the backbone of clinical vocabulary.

希少疾患の研究には多額の費用がかかる。
(Kishō shikkan no kenkyū ni wa tagaku no hiyō ga kakaru.)
Researching rare diseases requires a large amount of money.

Compound Words: Common compounds include 精神疾患 (Mental disorder), 脳血管疾患 (Cerebrovascular disease), and 慢性疾患 (Chronic disease). These are standard terms in health statistics.

遺伝性疾患の有無を確認する。
(Idensei shikkan no umu o kakunin suru.)
Check for the presence of hereditary diseases.

この疾患は高齢者に多く見られる。
(Kono shikkan wa kōreisha ni ōku mirareru.)
This disease is frequently seen in the elderly.

Using shikkan correctly involves understanding its role as a formal noun. It is typically the subject or object of a sentence describing medical states, treatments, or research. Unlike the verb-based expressions for 'getting sick' (byōki ni naru), shikkan is often used in the context of 'having' or 'suffering from' a condition using the verbs wazurau (患う) or kakaeru (抱える). In clinical settings, it is often paired with shindan (diagnosis) or chiryo (treatment).

Describing Prevalence: When talking about how common a disease is, shikkan is used with verbs like zōka suru (increase) or genshō suru (decrease). Example: 'Lifestyle diseases are increasing.' (生活習慣に関連する疾患が増加している。)
Identifying the Type: It is used as a category marker. You don't just say 'a heart problem'; you say 'a cardiovascular shikkan'. This adds a layer of professionalism to the description.

彼は長年、呼吸器系の疾患を患っている。
(Kare wa nangan, kokyūki-kei no shikkan o wazuratte iru.)
He has been suffering from a respiratory system disease for many years.

In grammatical structures, shikkan can be modified by adjectives or other nouns to specify the nature of the illness. For example, omo-i shikkan (a serious disease), keido no shikkan (a mild disorder), or fuchi no shikkan (an incurable disease). It functions as a standard noun, meaning it can take various particles like ga, o, no, and ni depending on its role in the sentence. In academic writing, it is often the focus of the sentence, acting as the 'agent' of certain symptoms or societal impacts.

現代社会では、ストレスに起因する疾患が増えている。
(Gendai shakai de wa, sutoresu ni kiin suru shikkan ga fuete iru.)
In modern society, disorders caused by stress are increasing.

Another important usage is in the context of screening and prevention. In Japanese health check-ups (Ningen Dock), the results will list 'shikkan' that you might be at risk for. The phrasing is usually 'shikkan no utagai' (suspicion of a disease). This usage highlights the word's role in the process of medical identification. It is the noun that bridges the gap between a symptom and a medical fact. Furthermore, in legal or insurance contexts, shikkan is used to define 'pre-existing conditions' (kiō-shikkan), which is a vital term for anyone signing up for health coverage in Japan.

この薬は、特定の心血管疾患の治療に使用される。
(Kono kusuri wa, tokutei no shinkkan-shikkan no chiryō ni shiyō sareru.)
This medicine is used for the treatment of specific cardiovascular diseases.

Common Verb Pairings: 1. 疾患を抱える (To have/carry a disease)
2. 疾患を治療する (To treat a disease)
3. 疾患を予防する (To prevent a disease)
4. 疾患を特定する (To identify a disease)

医師は彼の疾患について詳しく説明した。
(Ishi wa kare no shikkan ni tsuite kuwashiku setsumei shita.)
The doctor explained his disease in detail.

When writing or speaking at an advanced level, you can use shikkan to discuss systemic issues. For example, 'The economic burden of chronic shikkan.' (慢性疾患による経済的負担). Here, the word provides the necessary gravitas for a serious discussion. It moves the conversation away from individual 'sickness' to 'public health issues'. This shift is crucial for academic presentations or business meetings in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.

If you live in Japan, you will encounter 疾患 (shikkan) more often than you might expect, though rarely in the produce aisle or a karaoke box. Its primary domain is the professional world. If you watch the NHK evening news, the announcers will use shikkan when reporting on health statistics, new virus outbreaks, or medical breakthroughs. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the term 'kiso-shikkan' (underlying diseases/conditions) was used daily to discuss risk factors for severe illness. This is where most residents of Japan become familiar with the word's weight and importance.

At the Hospital: When you receive your health checkup results (Kenko Shindan), the summary page will often categorize findings under 'shikkan'. If the doctor finds something, they might say, 'There is a possibility of a digestive system shikkan.' This sounds more clinical and objective than saying 'You have a stomach sickness.'
In Corporate Wellness: Japanese companies are legally required to manage the health of their employees. HR departments often issue memos about 'preventing lifestyle-related shikkan' (seikatsu shūkan-byō/shikkan no予防). They use this word to emphasize the medical and professional nature of the initiative.

基礎疾患がある方は注意が必要です。
(Kiso shikkan ga aru kata wa chūi ga hitsuyō desu.)
Those with underlying conditions need to be careful.

Another common place to see this word is in advertisements for health supplements (tokuho) or over-the-counter medicines. While they cannot legally claim to 'cure' a shikkan without strict approval, they often mention that their product is for 'people concerned about lifestyle-related shikkan'. This uses the word to target a specific demographic of health-conscious consumers. Similarly, insurance commercials frequently use the term to describe the range of conditions their policies cover, such as 'The Three Major Shikkan' (三大疾患: cancer, stroke, and heart disease).

この病院は難病や稀少疾患を専門としている。
(Kono byōin wa nanbyō ya kishō shikkan o senmon to shite iru.)
This hospital specializes in intractable and rare diseases.

In academic and scientific contexts, shikkan is the standard. If you are reading a research paper on Japanese health trends or attending a medical seminar, shikkan is the only word used to refer to pathological conditions. It appears in terms like 'shikkan moderu' (disease model) used in drug testing. Even in the field of psychology, while 'shōgai' (disorder/disability) is common, 'seishin shikkan' (mental disease/disorder) remains a formal diagnostic category. Therefore, if you are pursuing any professional or academic path in Japan, mastering this word is non-negotiable.

精神疾患に対する理解を深めることが重要だ。
(Seishin shikkan ni taisuru rikai o fukameru koto ga jūyō da.)
It is important to deepen understanding toward mental disorders.

Public Health Signage: You will see it on posters in public health centers (Hokenjo) regarding 'infectious diseases' (kansenshō) or 'chronic disorders'. These posters use shikkan to provide authoritative information to the public.

The most frequent mistake learners make with 疾患 (shikkan) is using it in a register that is too casual. Because English speakers often use 'disease' and 'illness' somewhat interchangeably, they might try to use shikkan where byōki or even taichō furyō (feeling unwell) is more appropriate. Using shikkan to describe a simple cold or a temporary stomach ache sounds bizarre and overly dramatic to a native Japanese speaker. It would be like saying, 'I am currently afflicted with a respiratory pathology' when you just have a cough.

Register Mismatch: Mistake: 'I can't go to the party because of a shikkan.' (疾患があるのでパーティーに行けません。)
Correction: Use byōki or kaze. Shikkan suggests a serious, diagnosed medical condition that wouldn't normally be the excuse for missing a party unless it was a major health crisis.
Confusing with 'Byōki': While all shikkan are byōki, not all byōki are referred to as shikkan. Byōki is the broad, everyday word. Shikkan is the technical, specific word. If you are unsure, byōki is almost always safer in conversation.

❌ 昨日は軽い疾患で休みました。
(Yesterday I was off with a light 'shikkan'.) - Sounds like a medical report, not a reason for absence.

Another mistake involves the grammar of 'having' a disease. Learners often use the simple 'have' verb aru or motsu. While aru is used in 'kiso shikkan ga aru' (to have an underlying condition), it is more natural and professional to use wazurau (to suffer from) or kakaeru (to carry/struggle with) when describing a patient's state. Using the wrong verb can make your Japanese sound 'translated' rather than natural. Also, be careful with the kanji; shikkan (疾患) is sometimes confused with shitsukan (質感 - texture), which has a completely different meaning and kanji.

❌ 彼は風邪という疾患にかかった。
(He contracted the 'shikkan' known as a cold.) - Overly clinical for a common cold.

Finally, remember that shikkan is a noun, not a 'na-adjective' or 'i-adjective'. You cannot say 'shikkan na hito'. You must say 'shikkan o kakaete iru hito' (a person who has a disease) or 'shikkan no aru hito'. Misclassifying the part of speech is a common hurdle for beginners who are just starting to incorporate more complex kanji compounds into their vocabulary. Always treat it as a concrete medical entity.

Pronunciation Error: Ensure you emphasize the double 'k' sound (the small 'tsu' - っ). Saying 'shikan' (しかん) instead of 'shikkan' (しっかん) could lead to confusion with other words like 'shikan' (死感 - sense of death) or 'shikan' (史官 - historical official), though context usually helps.

To truly master 疾患 (shikkan), you must understand how it sits within a family of words related to health and illness. Japanese has many words for 'disease', each with a specific nuance, level of formality, and context. Choosing the right one is the difference between sounding like a student and sounding like a professional. Here, we compare shikkan with its most common alternatives.

病気 (Byōki): Usage: General, everyday. Nuance: Covers everything from a headache to terminal cancer. It is the word you use with family and friends. Comparison: While shikkan is the 'medical condition', byōki is the 'sickness'.
疾病 (Shippei): Usage: Legal, Administrative. Nuance: Even more formal than shikkan. Found in the 'National Health Insurance Act' or insurance contracts. Comparison: If shikkan is clinical, shippei is legalistic.
病 (Yamai): Usage: Literary, Poetic. Nuance: Often used in a more abstract or traditional sense. 'The sickness of the soul' or in old-fashioned expressions. Comparison: Shikkan is modern science; Yamai is classical literature.
障害 (Shōgai): Usage: Disorder, Disability. Nuance: Refers to a functional impairment. Often used for developmental disorders (hattatsu shōgai) or physical disabilities. Comparison: Shikkan focuses on the pathology; shōgai focuses on the resulting limitation in function.

その症状は、単なる病気ではなく、特定の疾患として分類される。
(That symptom is categorized not just as a 'byōki' but as a specific 'shikkan'.)

When deciding which word to use, consider your audience. If you are a patient talking to a doctor, you can use byōki, but if you want to sound more precise about a chronic condition, you might say 'kono shikkan' (this condition). If you are writing a formal essay for a university entrance exam or a business report, shikkan is almost always the better choice. It demonstrates a sophisticated vocabulary. Another word to know is shōjō (症状), which means 'symptoms'. A shikkan is the cause; the shōjō are the effects. Understanding this relationship helps you construct more complex medical descriptions.

精神疾患と精神障害の使い分けは専門的である。
(The proper use of 'seishin shikkan' versus 'seishin shōgai' is technical.)

In summary, shikkan is your 'power word' for medical and technical contexts. It provides a level of objectivity and seriousness that byōki cannot reach. By learning the subtle differences between these synonyms, you can navigate Japanese medical environments with confidence and clarity. Whether you are reading a medical journal or filling out a health questionnaire, knowing that shikkan refers to a specific, diagnosed pathological entity will serve you well.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji '疾' originally combined the radical for 'sickness' (疒) with 'arrow' (矢), suggesting an illness that strikes as fast as an arrow.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ʃikːaɴ/

US /ʃikːɑn/

The pitch accent is 'Heiban' (Flat). The pitch stays level across the word: shi-k-ka-n.

Rhymes With

Kekkan (Defect/Blood vessel) Tekkan (Iron pipe) Gekkan (Monthly) Jikkan (Real sensation) Rakkan (Optimism) Sekkan (Chastisement) Hakkan (Sweating) Shukkan (Publication)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'shikan' (short 'k'). This can mean other words.
Over-emphasizing the 'shi' like an English 'shee'. Keep it short.
Failing to make the 'n' sound properly at the end.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

The kanji are N1 level and require knowledge of medical radicals.

Writing 5/5

Writing 'shikkan' from memory is difficult due to the complex strokes in 'kan' (患).

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation is simple, but choosing the right context is the challenge.

Listening 3/5

Easy to recognize if you are familiar with the 'shik' sound followed by 'kan'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

病気 (Byōki) 体 (Karada) 医者 (Isha) 薬 (Kusuri) 病院 (Byōin)

Learn Next

症状 (Shōjō) 治療 (Chiryō) 診断 (Shindan) 免疫 (Men'eki) 慢性 (Mansei)

Advanced

病態生理 (Byōtai seiri) 疫学 (Ekigaku) 創薬 (Sōyaku) 予後 (Yogo) 合併症 (Gappēshō)

Grammar to Know

Noun + に起因する (caused by)

ストレスに起因する疾患が増えている。

Noun + を患う (to suffer from)

彼は重い疾患を患っている。

Noun + の疑い (suspicion of)

特定の疾患の疑いがある。

Noun + に対する (toward/regarding)

疾患に対する正しい知識を持つ。

Noun + に伴う (accompanying/along with)

加齢に伴う疾患に注意する。

Examples by Level

これは目の疾患です。

This is an eye disease.

Simple A is B structure using 'shikkan'.

疾患の名前を教えてください。

Please tell me the name of the disease.

Using 'shikkan' as a noun with the particle 'no'.

彼は疾患がありますか？

Does he have a medical condition?

Using 'ga arimasu' to indicate existence/possession.

この疾患は怖くないです。

This disease is not scary.

Adjective 'kowakunai' modifying the noun phrase.

疾患について本を読みます。

I will read a book about diseases.

Using 'ni tsuite' to mean 'about'.

有名な疾患を知っていますか？

Do you know any famous diseases?

Adjective 'yūmei na' modifying 'shikkan'.

疾患をチェックします。

I will check for diseases.

Direct object 'shikkan' with the verb 'check'.

新しい疾患が見つかりました。

A new disease was found.

Subject 'shikkan' with the verb 'mitsukaru'.

心臓の疾患はとても大変です。

Heart diseases are very serious.

Connecting two nouns with 'no'.

どのような疾患があるか調べます。

I will investigate what kind of diseases there are.

Using an embedded question with 'ka'.

疾患の治療には時間がかかります。

Treatment of the disease takes time.

Compound noun phrase 'shikkan no chiryō'.

彼は特定の疾患を患っています。

He is suffering from a specific disorder.

Using the formal verb 'wazurau'.

疾患の原因は何ですか？

What is the cause of the disease?

Asking for the 'gen'in' (cause).

この薬は多くの疾患に効きます。

This medicine is effective for many diseases.

Using 'ni kiku' to mean 'effective for'.

疾患を防ぐために運動しましょう。

Let's exercise to prevent diseases.

Using 'tame ni' to express purpose.

珍しい疾患のニュースを見ました。

I saw news about a rare disease.

Adjective 'mezurashii' modifying 'shikkan'.

生活習慣病は、現代の主要な疾患の一つです。

Lifestyle-related diseases are one of the major disorders of modern times.

Using 'no hitotsu' (one of...).

基礎疾患がある人は、感染症に注意が必要です。

People with underlying conditions need to be careful of infectious diseases.

Relative clause 'kiso shikkan ga aru' modifying 'kata'.

その疾患の初期症状について詳しく説明してください。

Please explain the early symptoms of that disease in detail.

Using 'ni tsuite' with 'kuwashiku'.

精神疾患に対する社会の理解が深まっています。

Society's understanding of mental disorders is deepening.

Using 'ni taisuru' (toward/regarding).

慢性的な疾患を抱えながら働くのは大変だ。

It is difficult to work while dealing with a chronic disease.

Using 'nagara' to show simultaneous actions.

遺伝性の疾患は、家族歴が重要になります。

For hereditary diseases, family history becomes important.

The subject 'idensei no shikkan' marked by 'wa'.

この病院は呼吸器疾患の専門外来があります。

This hospital has a specialized outpatient clinic for respiratory diseases.

Compound noun 'kokyūki shikkan'.

疾患を早期に発見することが、完治への近道です。

Finding a disease early is the shortcut to a full recovery.

Using nominalized verb 'koto' as the subject.

希少疾患の患者を支援するための基金が設立された。

A fund was established to support patients with rare diseases.

Passive verb 'setsuritsu sareta'.

脳血管疾患は、日本人の死因の上位を占めている。

Cerebrovascular diseases account for a high percentage of causes of death among Japanese people.

Using 'o shimeru' to mean 'account for/occupy'.

新薬の治験は、特定の疾患を持つボランティアを対象に行われる。

Clinical trials for new drugs are conducted on volunteers with specific diseases.

Using 'o taishō ni' (targeting/aimed at).

環境汚染が原因で、新たな呼吸器疾患が発生している。

New respiratory diseases are occurring due to environmental pollution.

Using 'ga gen'in de' to show cause.

この論文は、自己免疫疾患のメカニズムを解明している。

This paper elucidates the mechanism of autoimmune diseases.

Using 'o kaimei shite iru' (elucidating).

疾患の蔓延を防ぐために、政府は緊急事態を宣言した。

To prevent the spread of the disease, the government declared a state of emergency.

Using 'tame ni' with a formal verb 'sengen shita'.

高齢化に伴い、認知症などの神経疾患が増加している。

With the aging population, neurological diseases such as dementia are increasing.

Using 'ni tomonai' (along with/as a result of).

彼は重い疾患を克服し、社会復帰を果たした。

He overcame a serious illness and made a return to society.

Using 'o kokufuku shi' (overcoming).

本研究は、難治性疾患に対する新規治療薬の有効性を検証するものである。

This study verifies the effectiveness of a new therapeutic drug for intractable diseases.

Formal academic 'dearu' style.

精神疾患の診断基準は、時代とともに変遷してきた。

The diagnostic criteria for mental disorders have changed over time.

Using 'hensen shite kita' (has undergone changes).

疾患感受性遺伝子の特定が、個別化医療の進展に寄与している。

The identification of disease-susceptibility genes is contributing to the advancement of personalized medicine.

Using 'ni kiyo shite iru' (contributing to).

その疾患は、社会経済的要因によって発症リスクが左右される。

The risk of developing that disease is influenced by socioeconomic factors.

Passive structure 'sayū sareru' (is influenced/governed by).

特定の疾患に対する偏見を払拭するための啓発活動が必要だ。

Awareness-raising activities are needed to eliminate prejudice against specific diseases.

Using 'o fusshoku suru' (to wipe out/eliminate).

疾患の病態生理学的な解明が、創薬の基盤となる。

The pathophysiological elucidation of a disease forms the basis of drug discovery.

Highly technical compound 'byōtai seirigaku-teki'.

希少疾患におけるオーファンドラッグの開発には、公的支援が不可欠である。

Public support is essential for the development of orphan drugs for rare diseases.

Using 'ni oite' (in/regarding) and 'fukatsu' (essential).

慢性疾患の管理において、患者自身の自己管理能力が問われている。

In the management of chronic diseases, the patient's own self-management ability is being called into question.

Using 'ga towarete iru' (is being questioned/is required).

疾患の定義そのものが、医学的言説の中で構築された社会的な概念であるという側面も否定できない。

One cannot deny the aspect that the definition of a disease itself is a social concept constructed within medical discourse.

Complex nested clause structure.

ゲノム解析の進展により、従来の疾患分類が根本から見直されようとしている。

With the progress of genomic analysis, conventional disease classifications are about to be fundamentally reconsidered.

Using the volitional form 'mi-naosareyō' to show 'about to happen'.

精神疾患を「脳の機能不全」とのみ捉える還元主義的なアプローチには批判も多い。

There is much criticism of the reductionist approach that views mental disorders solely as 'brain dysfunction'.

Using 'to nomi toraeru' (viewing only as).

パンデミックの発生は、国境を越えた疾患監視体制の脆弱性を露呈させた。

The occurrence of a pandemic exposed the vulnerability of cross-border disease surveillance systems.

Using 'o rosei saseta' (exposed/revealed).

疾患の治癒のみならず、QOLの向上を目指す包括的なアプローチが求められている。

A comprehensive approach is required that aims not only at curing the disease but also at improving QOL.

Using 'nomi-narazu' (not only...).

バイオマーカーの特定は、疾患の超早期診断と先制医療の実現を可能にする。

The identification of biomarkers enables ultra-early diagnosis of diseases and the realization of preemptive medicine.

Using 'o kanō ni suru' (to make possible).

疾患というラベルが個人のアイデンティティに及ぼす心理的影響は計り知れない。

The psychological impact that the label of 'disease' has on an individual's identity is immeasurable.

Using 'ni oyobosu' (to exert/have an effect on).

疾患の病因論的探究は、人類の生命に対する理解の地平を広げてきた。

The etiological pursuit of disease has broadened the horizon of humanity's understanding of life.

Highly abstract/literary phrasing 'chihei o hirogetekita'.

Synonyms

病気疾病病障害病態

Antonyms

健康健全

Common Collocations

基礎疾患

慢性疾患

精神疾患

心疾患

遺伝性疾患

疾患を患う

疾患の疑い

希少疾患

脳血管疾患

疾患モデル

Common Phrases

三大疾患

— Refers to the three major diseases: cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Frequently used in insurance.

三大疾患をカバーする保険に入る。

特定疾患

— Specific diseases designated by the government for financial aid or special research.

彼は特定疾患の受給者証を持っている。

消化器疾患

— Digestive system diseases. A common category in medical exams.

消化器疾患の専門医に診てもらう。

呼吸器疾患

— Respiratory system diseases. Used for asthma, pneumonia, etc.

冬は呼吸器疾患が増える季節だ。

循環器疾患

— Circulatory system diseases. Used for heart and blood vessel issues.

循環器疾患の予防には食生活が大切だ。

自己免疫疾患

— Autoimmune diseases. A technical term for conditions where the immune system attacks the body.

自己免疫疾患の治療は長期にわたる。

皮膚疾患

— Skin diseases. Used in dermatology.

アトピーは代表的な皮膚疾患だ。

眼疾患

— Eye diseases. Used in ophthalmology.

加齢に伴う眼疾患に注意する。

生活習慣に関連する疾患

— Diseases related to lifestyle habits. A more formal version of 'seikatsu shūkan-byō'.

生活習慣に関連する疾患の予防啓発を行う。

既往疾患

— Pre-existing or past medical conditions. Crucial for medical history.

既往疾患について問診票に記入する。

Often Confused With

疾患 vs 質感 (Shitsukan)

Sounds similar but means 'texture' or 'feel of a material'.

疾患 vs 失冠 (Shikkan)

Sounds identical but means 'losing a title' (like in sports or a beauty pageant).

疾患 vs 疾患 (Shikan)

A common mispronunciation; 'shikan' can mean 'historical official' or 'sense of death'.

Idioms & Expressions

"疾患を抱える"

— To live with or suffer from a disease. It implies a long-term struggle.

彼は重い疾患を抱えながらも前向きだ。

Formal/Empathetic

"疾患の影に"

— Behind the disease. Used to talk about hidden causes or related social issues.

疾患の影にストレスが潜んでいることが多い。

Literary/Journalistic

"疾患と闘う"

— To fight against a disease. Used for patients undergoing difficult treatment.

多くの人が難病という疾患と闘っている。

Inspirational/Formal

"疾患に屈しない"

— Not to give in to a disease. Similar to fighting it.

彼は疾患に屈することなく、夢を追い続けた。

Literary

"疾患の種"

— The seed of a disease. Used to describe early habits that lead to illness.

不規則な生活は疾患の種をまくようなものだ。

Metaphorical

"疾患を克服する"

— To overcome a disease. Used when someone recovers or manages a condition successfully.

最新の医療で疾患を克服する。

Formal

"疾患の淵"

— The abyss of a disease. Used for very serious or life-threatening conditions.

彼は重い疾患の淵から生還した。

Dramatic/Literary

"疾患を根絶する"

— To eradicate a disease. Used in public health contexts.

世界中からその疾患を根絶する。

Formal/Scientific

"疾患の連鎖"

— A chain of diseases. Used when one condition leads to another.

肥満は様々な疾患の連鎖を引き起こす。

Academic

"疾患の兆候"

— Signs/indications of a disease. Used for early detection.

小さな体調の変化も疾患の兆候かもしれない。

Formal

Easily Confused

疾患 vs 病気 (Byōki)

Both mean 'disease'.

Byōki is general and subjective; Shikkan is clinical and objective. You say 'I have a byōki', but a doctor diagnoses a 'shikkan'.

病気で寝ている (Sleeping because of a sickness) vs 疾患を研究する (Researching a disease).

疾患 vs 疾病 (Shippei)

Both are formal words for disease.

Shippei is almost strictly for legal and insurance documents. Shikkan is used by medical professionals in clinical practice.

特定疾病 (Designated legal disease) vs 精神疾患 (Mental disorder).

疾患 vs 障害 (Shōgai)

Both refer to health problems.

Shikkan is the pathology (the biological cause); Shōgai is the impairment (the resulting loss of function).

脳の疾患 (Brain disease) vs 身体障害 (Physical disability).

疾患 vs 不調 (Fuchō)

Both mean something is wrong with the body.

Fuchō is a vague 'not feeling well'; Shikkan is a specific, diagnosed condition.

体調が不調だ (I'm not in good shape) vs 消化器疾患 (Digestive disease).

疾患 vs 症状 (Shōjō)

Related to disease.

Shikkan is the disease itself; Shōjō is the symptom (cough, fever, etc.).

疾患の原因 (Cause of the disease) vs 疾患の症状 (Symptoms of the disease).

Sentence Patterns

[A] は [疾患] です。

これは心臓の疾患です。

[疾患] の名前は何ですか？

その疾患の名前は何ですか？

[疾患] を予防するために [A] をします。

疾患を予防するために運動をします。

[A] は [疾患] のリスクを高める。

喫煙は肺疾患のリスクを高める。

[疾患] の病態を解明する。

自己免疫疾患の病態を解明する。

[疾患] という概念の再構築。

現代医学における疾患という概念の再構築。

[基礎疾患] がある方は [A] してください。

基礎疾患がある方はマスクを着用してください。

[A] に起因する [疾患] が増加している。

ストレスに起因する疾患が増加している。

Word Family

Nouns

疾走 (Shissō) - Dashing/Sprinting

疾風 (Shippū) - Gale/Swift wind

患者 (Kanja) - Patient

患部 (Kanbu) - Affected part of the body

Verbs

患う (Wazurau) - To suffer from/be ill with

疾る (Hashiru) - Old word for running fast (now mostly 走る)

病院 (Byōin) - Hospital

医学 (Igaku) - Medicine (field of study)

診療 (Shinryō) - Medical examination/treatment

病態 (Byōtai) - Pathological condition

臨床 (Rinshō) - Clinical

How to Use It

frequency

High in medical and news contexts; Low in casual street slang.

Common Mistakes

Using 'shikkan' for a small cold. → Use 'byōki' or 'kaze'.
'Shikkan' is too formal and technical for minor, temporary illnesses. It sounds like a medical report.
Saying 'shikkan ni naru'. → Use 'shikkan o wazurau' or 'shikkan o hasshō suru'.
'Byōki ni naru' is common, but 'shikkan' usually takes more formal verbs like 'wazurau' (suffer) or 'hasshō' (onset).
Confusing 'shikkan' with 'shitsukan' (texture). → Pay attention to the double 'k' sound and the kanji.
The sounds are similar, but the meanings are completely unrelated. Context usually helps, but be careful with pronunciation.
Using 'shikkan' as a na-adjective. → Use 'shikkan no' or 'shikkan o kakaeta'.
'Shikkan' is a pure noun. You cannot use it to describe a person directly without a particle or a relative clause.
Using 'shikkan' when you mean 'symptom'. → Use 'shōjō'.
A 'shikkan' is the disease entity; a 'shōjō' is the physical manifestation (fever, pain). Don't mix them up.

Tips

Use in Hospitals

When a doctor uses 'shikkan', listen carefully; they are giving you a formal diagnosis. You can ask 'Sono shikkan no chiryō wa?' (What is the treatment for that disease?).

Kanji Breakdown

Focus on the 'sickness' radical (疒) found in 疾. Many health-related words use this radical, which helps you guess the meaning of unknown words.

Common Verb

Always remember the verb 'wazurau' (患う). It is the most natural formal verb to use with 'shikkan' when saying someone 'has' a disease.

News Context

If you see '疾患' in a headline, it's likely about a public health issue, a new discovery, or a warning for people with pre-existing conditions.

Mental Health

In Japan, 'seishin shikkan' is the clinical term. Understanding this helps you navigate mental health resources and literature.

Formal vs Informal

Think of 'byōki' as 'sickness' and 'shikkan' as 'pathological disorder'. This distinction will guide your choice of word.

Compound Power

Learning 'shikkan' opens up many compound words. If you know 'shin' (heart), you now know 'shin-shikkan' (heart disease).

Pitch Accent

Keep the pitch flat. If you rise at the end, it might sound like a question or a different word.

Insurance Terms

If you live in Japan, look at your insurance policy. You will see 'shikkan' everywhere. Knowing it reduces anxiety about your coverage.

Arrow Mnemonic

The 'arrow' in '疾' reminds you of a disease that strikes fast. Use this visual to remember the first kanji.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Sick Can' (shikkan). A 'can' of medical records for a 'sick' person. Or remember 'SHI' (death-related kanji) and 'KAN' (patient/kanja).

Visual Association

Imagine a formal medical chart with a big stamp that says 'DIAGNOSED'. The stamp is the word 疾患.

Word Web

Hospital Diagnosis Pathology Chronic Mental health Clinical Insurance Patient

Challenge

Try to find the word '疾患' on a Japanese health supplement bottle or a medical form. Write down the compound it is part of.

Word Origin

Borrowed from Middle Chinese. The word is composed of two kanji: '疾' (illness/fast) and '患' (suffer/patient). It has been used in Japanese for centuries but gained its modern clinical prominence during the Meiji era as Western medicine was standardized.

Original meaning: The state of being afflicted by a sudden or serious illness.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Cultural Context

When discussing 'seishin shikkan' (mental disorders), be aware of the stigma; however, using the formal term is often more respectful than casual slang.

English speakers might use 'disease' loosely, but 'shikkan' is closer to 'clinical disorder'.

NHK Health Programs Japanese Medical Dramas (e.g., Team Medical Dragon) Government White Papers on Health

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Medical Diagnosis

疾患名を特定する
疾患の疑い
疾患の初期症状
疾患の治療計画

Health Insurance

既往疾患の告知
三大疾患補償
疾患による入院
特定疾患手当

Scientific Research

疾患モデル動物
疾患関連遺伝子
疾患のメカニズム
希少疾患の研究

Public Health

生活習慣病疾患
疾患の蔓延
疾患予防キャンペーン
基礎疾患を持つ方

Psychiatry

精神疾患の理解
疾患の診断基準
疾患と向き合う
疾患の再発防止

Conversation Starters

"その疾患について、もっと詳しく教えていただけますか？ (Could you tell me more about that disease?)"

"基礎疾患がある場合、どのような注意が必要ですか？ (If there's an underlying condition, what precautions are necessary?)"

"最新のニュースでその疾患の治療法について見ました。 (I saw a treatment for that disease in the latest news.)"

"この病院はどのような疾患の専門ですか？ (What kind of diseases does this hospital specialize in?)"

"家族に遺伝性の疾患がある場合、検査を受けるべきでしょうか？ (If there's a hereditary disease in the family, should I get tested?)"

Journal Prompts

もし自分が未知の疾患を研究する科学者だったら、どのような疾患を研究したいですか？ (If you were a scientist researching an unknown disease, what kind of disease would you want to research?)

現代社会における「精神疾患」への理解について、あなたの意見を書いてください。 (Write your opinion on the understanding of 'mental disorders' in modern society.)

健康診断で「疾患の疑い」と言われたら、まず何をしますか？ (If you were told there's a 'suspicion of a disease' during a health checkup, what would you do first?)

生活習慣に関連する疾患を防ぐために、今日からできることをリストアップしてください。 (List things you can do starting today to prevent lifestyle-related diseases.)

難病や希少疾患を抱える人々を支援するために、社会ができることは何だと思いますか？ (What do you think society can do to support people with intractable or rare diseases?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Technically, a cold is a 'shikkan', but it's almost never called that. It's like calling a scratch a 'dermatological trauma'. Stick to 'kaze' or 'byōki' for minor things.

It means 'underlying condition'. It refers to a pre-existing medical issue like diabetes or heart disease that might make another illness (like a virus) more dangerous.

Yes, 'seishin shikkan' is the standard formal term for mental disorders or mental illnesses in a clinical context.

The first is 'shitsu' (疾) with the 'sickness' radical on top and 'arrow' inside. The second is 'kan' (患) with '串' (skewer) over '心' (heart). It's a complex kanji, so practice the stroke order.

No, 'byōki' is much more common in daily life. 'Shikkan' is specific to medical, professional, and formal contexts.

It usually appears as 'nanbyō' (难病) or 'nan-shikkan' (rarely), meaning an intractable or difficult-to-cure disease.

Yes, in veterinary medicine or botany, 'shikkan' can refer to diseases in animals or plants, though 'byōki' or 'byōchu' is more common for plants.

It is strictly a noun. To use it as a descriptor, you must use 'shikkan no' or 'shikkan o kakaeta'.

The most direct opposite is 'kenkō' (health). In a clinical trial, the opposite might be 'kenjō' (normal/healthy condition).

Insurance companies need precise, legal definitions of what they cover. 'Byōki' is too vague, so they use 'shikkan' or 'shippei'.