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B1 noun #7,000 most common 8 min read

炎症

enshou Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 炎症 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 炎症 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word '炎症' (enshō) often, but it's good to recognize it. Think of it as a 'doctor's word' for when something hurts, is red, and is swollen. If you go to a clinic because your throat hurts, the doctor might point to it and say this word. You can remember it by the 'fire' (火) kanji. It means your body feels like it has a small fire inside. Instead of '炎症', at this level, you usually say '痛い' (itai - it hurts) or '赤い' (akai - it's red). If you see this word on a medicine box, it means the medicine is for pain and redness. Just knowing that it's a medical word for 'bad swelling' is enough for now. Don't worry about the grammar of how to use it yet; just recognize that 炎 equals fire and 症 equals sickness.

At the A2 level, you can start using '炎症' (enshō) to describe simple medical problems. You might use it when talking about a sore throat (喉の炎症 - nodo no enshō) or a skin problem. It's helpful when you want to be a bit more specific than just saying 'it hurts'. You will often see it in drugstores (薬局 - yakkyoku). If you are looking for cream for a rash, the label might say '炎症を抑える' (enshō o osaeru), which means 'stops inflammation'. You should learn the phrase '炎症を起こす' (enshō o okosu), which means 'to get inflamed'. For example, '肌が炎症を起こしました' (My skin got inflamed). This is a very useful sentence if you have an allergy or a sunburn. Remember that it's a noun, so you usually use it with 'あります' (there is) or '起こす' (to cause).

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '炎症' (enshō) in various contexts, especially in health and sports. You should understand that it's the standard clinical term for inflammation. You can use it to explain why you can't do something: '足の炎症がひどいので、今日は練習を休みます' (Because the inflammation in my foot is bad, I will skip practice today). You should also notice how the character '炎' (en) appears in specific names of illnesses, like '肺炎' (haien - pneumonia) or '胃炎' (ien - gastritis). At this level, you should be able to follow a doctor's explanation using this word and understand the difference between '炎症' (the condition) and '腫れ' (the physical swelling). You can also use it to describe reactions to things like insect bites or hay fever.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use '炎症' (enshō) with more nuance and in combination with more complex verbs and adjectives. You should understand terms like '急性炎症' (kyūsei enshō - acute inflammation) and '慢性炎症' (mansei enshō - chronic inflammation). You might encounter this word in health articles or news reports discussing the long-term effects of stress or diet on the body. You should be able to discuss the '炎症反応' (enshō hannō - inflammatory response) in the context of a blood test. Your vocabulary should also include related terms like '抗炎症薬' (kō-enshō-yaku - anti-inflammatory drug) and '消炎剤' (shōenzai - antiphlogistic/painkiller). You can use the word metaphorically in very specific academic contexts, though its primary use remains medical. You should also be aware of how 炎症 interacts with the immune system (免疫系).

At the C1 level, you should have a deep understanding of '炎症' (enshō) as it relates to pathology and systemic health. You can discuss the mechanism of inflammation, such as the role of cytokines or the '炎症性サイトカイン' (inflammatory cytokines). You will find this word in academic papers, medical journals, and deep-dive health documentaries. You should be able to explain the relationship between '炎症' and other conditions like '自己免疫疾患' (autoimmune diseases) or '生活習慣病' (lifestyle-related diseases). At this level, you should also be familiar with more formal synonyms like '炎症性変化' (inflammatory changes) or '局所的炎症' (localized inflammation). You can navigate complex medical consultations in Japanese, discussing the nuances of treatment and the suppression of inflammatory markers with high precision and appropriate register.

At the C2 level, '炎症' (enshō) is a basic building block for much more complex discussions. You understand not just the medical definition, but also the historical and kanji-based nuances of the term. You can engage in high-level debates about public health, the impact of '全身性炎症' (systemic inflammation) on aging (often termed 'inflammaging'), and the socio-economic factors that lead to chronic inflammatory conditions in certain populations. You are capable of translating medical documents or interpreting for a doctor, accurately conveying the severity and type of inflammation described. You also recognize the rare metaphorical uses in literature where '炎症' might be used to describe a 'festering' social issue or a 'red-hot' conflict, although such uses are highly stylistic. Your mastery includes an effortless command of all collocations and the ability to explain the term to others in Japanese using simple or complex language as needed.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

炎症 in 30 Seconds

炎症 (enshō) means inflammation, marked by redness, heat, and pain.
Commonly used with verbs like 起こす (cause) and 抑える (suppress).
Contains the kanji for fire (炎), symbolizing heat and intensity.
Found in medical, sports, and daily health-related Japanese contexts.

The Japanese word 炎症 (えんしょう - enshō) is a specialized medical and biological term that translates directly to 'inflammation' in English. It is composed of two significant kanji characters: 炎 (honō/en), which means 'fire' or 'flame', and 症 (shō), which means 'symptom' or 'illness'. When combined, they literally describe a 'fire-like symptom' in the body, which perfectly captures the redness, heat, and swelling associated with inflammatory responses. In everyday Japanese, while the word has a clinical nuance, it is frequently used by laypeople to describe everything from a sore throat to a skin rash or a sports injury.

Biological Definition: In a medical context, 炎症 refers to the complex biological response of body tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. It is a protective response involving immune cells, blood vessels, and molecular mediators.
Visual Representation: The use of the 'fire' (炎) kanji is particularly evocative. Just as a fire is hot, red, and potentially destructive if not controlled, inflammation in the body manifests as localized heat (熱感), redness (発赤), and pain (疼痛).

喉が赤く腫れて、ひどい炎症を起こしています。(Nodo ga akaku harete, hidoi enshō o okoshite imasu.) - Your throat is red and swollen; it is causing severe inflammation.

You will encounter this word in various settings. At a hospital, a doctor might use it to explain why your joints hurt or why you have a fever. In a pharmacy, you will see it on the packaging of 'anti-inflammatory' drugs (抗炎症薬). Even in the beauty industry, it is used to discuss skin irritation or acne treatments. Understanding this word is essential for navigating healthcare in Japan or discussing physical well-being.

Furthermore, the word can be categorized into 'acute inflammation' (急性炎症) and 'chronic inflammation' (慢性炎症). Acute inflammation is the initial response of the body to harmful stimuli and is achieved by the increased movement of plasma and leukocytes from the blood into the injured tissues. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, is prolonged inflammation in which tissue destruction, and attempts at repair, occur simultaneously.

この薬は炎症を抑える効果があります。(Kono kusuri wa enshō o osaeru kōka ga arimasu.) - This medicine is effective in suppressing inflammation.

Clinical Nuance: While 'swelling' is 腫れ (hare), 炎症 is the broader clinical state. You can have 炎症 without visible 腫れ, though they often appear together.

Using 炎症 correctly requires understanding its role as a noun and how it interacts with specific verbs. The most common verb pairing is 起こす (okosu), meaning 'to cause' or 'to develop'. When you say '炎症を起こす', you are saying that a part of the body has developed inflammation. Another vital verb is 抑える (osaeru), meaning 'to suppress' or 'to keep down', used when talking about treatment or medication.

傷口からバイキンが入って、炎症を起こしてしまいました。(Kizuguchi kara baikin ga haitte, enshō o okoshite shimaimashita.) - Bacteria entered the wound and caused inflammation.

In grammatical structures, 炎症 often takes the particle が (ga) when describing a state, such as '炎症が広がる' (the inflammation is spreading) or '炎症が治まる' (the inflammation is subsiding). If you are describing the location of the inflammation, you use the particle に (ni) or の (no): '胃の炎症' (inflammation of the stomach/gastritis) or '関節に炎症がある' (there is inflammation in the joints).

Common Verb Pairings: 1. 炎症を抑える (Suppress inflammation)
2. 炎症を起こす (Develop inflammation)
3. 炎症が治まる (Inflammation subsides)
4. 炎症が悪化する (Inflammation worsens)

When discussing the severity, adjectives like ひどい (hidoi - severe), 軽い (karui - mild), or 強い (tsuyoi - strong) are used. For example, '強い炎症' (strong/intense inflammation) indicates a high level of redness and pain. In a more formal or medical report setting, you might see '炎症反応' (inflammatory response), which refers to the systemic signs of inflammation found in blood tests, such as CRP levels.

花粉症で目の粘膜が炎症を起こしています。(Kafunshō de me no nenmaku ga enshō o okoshite imasu.) - Due to hay fever, the mucous membranes of the eyes are inflamed.

For advanced learners, it is useful to know that 炎症 is the basis for many specific medical conditions ending in 炎 (en). For instance, 胃炎 (ien - gastritis), 肺炎 (haien - pneumonia), and 皮膚炎 (hifuen - dermatitis). In these cases, the word 炎症 itself is condensed into its first kanji and attached to the organ name. This pattern is very consistent in Japanese medical terminology.

The word 炎症 is ubiquitous in Japanese society, appearing in professional medical settings, commercial advertisements, and daily health conversations. If you visit a Japanese clinic (内科 - naika or 皮膚科 - hifuka), the doctor will likely use this word to explain your diagnosis. They might say, '喉の奥に炎症が見られます' (Inflammation is seen in the back of your throat), while using a tongue depressor.

TV and Media: In Japanese television commercials (CM), especially for eye drops (目薬), skin ointments (塗り薬), or cold medicine (風邪薬), the word 炎症 is used to emphasize the product's effectiveness. You might hear a narrator say, 'つらい炎症を元から抑える' (Suppresses painful inflammation from the source).

「この軟膏は、皮膚の炎症を鎮める成分を配合しています。」(Kono nankō wa, hifu no enshō o shizumeru seibun o haigō shite imasu.) - This ointment contains ingredients that calm skin inflammation.

In the context of sports and fitness, trainers and athletes frequently discuss 炎症 in relation to muscle recovery and injury prevention. 'アイシングで炎症を抑える' (suppressing inflammation with icing) is a common phrase heard in gyms and sports clubs. It is also a key term in the health food industry, where supplements might be marketed as having 'anti-inflammatory properties' (抗炎症作用).

Furthermore, in the workplace, if someone is taking a day off due to a severe sore throat or a flare-up of a chronic condition like arthritis, they might explain their condition using 炎症 to sound more precise than just saying 'it hurts'. It provides a level of medical legitimacy to their ailment. You will also see it in health-related articles in magazines (like 'Tarzan' or 'AnAn') focusing on lifestyle-related chronic inflammation and its link to aging.

「血液検査の結果、体内に炎症反応が出ています。」(Ketsueki kensa no kekka, tainai ni enshō hannō ga dete imasu.) - As a result of the blood test, an inflammatory response is showing in your body.

One of the most common mistakes English speakers make when using 炎症 is treating it as a verb. In English, we can say 'my skin is inflaming' (though 'inflamed' is more common), but in Japanese, you cannot say '皮膚が炎症している' as a standard expression. Instead, you must use a supporting verb like 起こす (okosu - to cause/develop) or ある (aru - to have/exist). Incorrect: 喉が炎症した。 Correct: 喉が炎症を起こした。

Confusion with 'Hare' (Swelling): Learners often confuse 炎症 (enshō) with 腫れ (hare). While they are related, 腫れ refers specifically to the physical swelling or puffiness. 炎症 is the medical condition that includes the swelling, redness, and heat. If you just have a bump from a mosquito bite, '腫れ' is more natural. If you have an infected wound, '炎症' is more appropriate.

× 膝が炎症です。
○ 膝に炎症があります。(There is inflammation in the knee.)

Another mistake is confusing 炎症 with 火傷 (yakedo - burn). Because both kanji contain the 'fire' radical, beginners might think 炎症 refers to a literal burn from a stove. 炎症 is an internal biological response, while 火傷 is an external injury caused by heat. However, a severe 火傷 can eventually lead to 炎症 as the skin tries to heal.

Lastly, be careful with the pronunciation. The 'shō' in enshō is a long vowel (shou). If you pronounce it as a short 'sho', it might sound like other words. Also, ensure you don't confuse it with '演習' (enshū - practice/maneuvers) or '遠足' (ensoku - excursion), which share the 'en' sound but have completely different meanings and kanji.

日焼けで肌が炎症を起こして、ヒリヒリします。(The skin is inflamed due to sunburn and it stings.)

While 炎症 is the standard term for inflammation, several other words describe similar symptoms or specific types of bodily reactions. Understanding the nuances between these will make your Japanese sound much more natural and precise.

腫れ (Hare): This is the common word for 'swelling'. It is a physical description. You use this when you can see a part of the body is bigger than usual. 炎症 is the underlying cause; 腫れ is the visible result.
化膿 (Kanō): This means 'suppuration' or 'festering' (creating pus). If an 炎症 becomes infected and starts producing yellow fluid, it is called 化膿. This is a more specific and usually more serious stage than simple inflammation.
かぶれ (Kabure): This specifically refers to contact dermatitis or a skin rash caused by an irritant (like poison ivy or a cheap metal watch). While it is a type of 炎症, 'かぶれ' is the common term used for skin reactions.

虫刺されが化膿してしまった。(The insect bite has festered.) vs 虫刺されで炎症が起きている。(There is inflammation from the insect bite.)

In medical terminology, you might also see 発赤 (hosseki) for redness and 疼痛 (tōtsū) for pain. These are very formal and usually only found in medical charts. In daily life, just use '赤み' (akami - redness) and '痛み' (itami - pain). For the verb form of 'to become inflamed', people often use the passive form of 'swell': 腫れる (hareru) or the phrase 赤くなる (akaku naru - become red).

Lastly, consider the word 刺激 (shigeki - irritation). Sometimes what feels like inflammation is just temporary irritation. '刺激が強い' (the stimulus is strong) is often used for spicy food or strong chemicals that might lead to 炎症 if exposure continues.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The double fire in 炎 is one of the few kanji where repeating a radical horizontally or vertically changes the intensity (like 木 for tree, 林 for woods, 森 for forest).

Pronunciation Guide

UK en.ɕoː

US en.ʃoʊ

The pitch usually starts high on 'en' and stays relatively level, though it may drop slightly on the long 'ō'.

Rhymes With

現状 (Genjō) 戦場 (Senjō) 船長 (Senchō) 延長 (Enchō) 天井 (Tenjō) 燃焼 (Nenshō) 検証 (Kenshō) 連勝 (Renshō)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'shō' as a short 'sho', which makes it sound like 'ensho' (which isn't a common word).
Confusing the 'n' sound with a hard English 'n'; it should be a nasalized Japanese 'n'.
Mispronouncing 'en' as 'an'.
Putting too much stress on the first syllable like English; Japanese is pitch-accented.
Failing to hold the long vowel 'ō' for two beats.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji are somewhat complex but logical once you know 'fire'.

Writing 4/5

Writing 症 requires attention to the sickness radical and the strokes inside.

Speaking 2/5

The pronunciation is straightforward, just watch the long vowel.

Listening 2/5

Easy to recognize in medical contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

火 (Fire) 病気 (Illness) 痛い (Painful) 赤い (Red) 薬 (Medicine)

Learn Next

免疫 (Immunity) 感染 (Infection) 細菌 (Bacteria) ウイルス (Virus) 抗生物質 (Antibiotics)

Advanced

自己免疫 (Autoimmunity) サイトカイン (Cytokine) 壊死 (Necrosis) 浮腫 (Edema) 潰瘍 (Ulcer)

Grammar to Know

Noun + を起こす

パニックを起こす、炎症を起こす

Noun + を抑える

怒りを抑える、炎症を抑える

Noun + が治まる

嵐が治まる、炎症が治まる

Noun + に効く

風邪に効く、炎症に効く

Noun + による + Noun

細菌による炎症

Examples by Level

喉に炎症があります。

There is inflammation in the throat.

Uses the basic structure [Location] に [Noun] があります。

炎症は赤いです。

Inflammation is red.

Simple A is B sentence.

これは炎症の薬です。

This is medicine for inflammation.

Uses the particle の to link 'medicine' and 'inflammation'.

炎症が痛いです。

The inflammation is painful.

Describes the state of the inflammation using an adjective.

目に炎症がありますか？

Is there inflammation in your eye?

A basic question form.

炎症を抑えましょう。

Let's suppress the inflammation.

Uses the 'let's' form (-mashō) with the verb 抑える。

ひどい炎症ですね。

That's severe inflammation, isn't it?

Uses the adjective ひどい (severe) and the particle ね for agreement.

炎症が治りました。

The inflammation has healed.

Uses the past tense of 治る (to heal/subside).

肌が炎症を起こしています。

The skin is causing/developing inflammation.

Uses ~を起こしている to describe an ongoing state.

炎症を抑えるクリームを塗ります。

I will apply a cream that suppresses inflammation.

Uses a relative clause [炎症を抑える] to modify 'cream'.

日焼けで炎症がひどくなった。

The inflammation got worse because of the sunburn.

Uses で to indicate the cause (sunburn).

この薬は炎症に効きます。

This medicine works on inflammation.

Uses に効く to mean 'effective for' or 'works on'.

炎症があるので、お酒は控えてください。

Since there is inflammation, please refrain from alcohol.

Uses ~ので to give a reason and ~てください for a request.

どこが炎症を起こしていますか？

Where is the inflammation occurring?

Interrogative 'doko' (where) with the subject marker 'ga'.

炎症が治まるまで待ちましょう。

Let's wait until the inflammation subsides.

Uses ~まで (until) with a verb.

胃の炎症で入院しました。

I was hospitalized due to stomach inflammation.

Uses the noun form '胃の炎症' (gastritis/stomach inflammation).

慢性的な炎症を放置すると危険です。

It is dangerous to leave chronic inflammation untreated.

Uses ~を放置する (to leave as is/neglect).

検査の結果、軽い炎症が見つかりました。

As a result of the test, a mild inflammation was found.

Uses ~が見つかる (to be found).

アイシングは炎症を鎮めるのに効果的だ。

Icing is effective for calming inflammation.

Uses ~のに (for the purpose of) with 'effective'.

アレルギー反応によって炎症が生じます。

Inflammation occurs due to an allergic reaction.

Uses ~によって to show the cause/means.

抗炎症作用のある食品を食べよう。

Let's eat foods that have anti-inflammatory effects.

Uses the compound noun '抗炎症作用' (anti-inflammatory action).

炎症が全身に広がってしまいました。

The inflammation has spread throughout the whole body.

Uses ~てしまう to express regret or completion.

この飲み物は炎症を悪化させる可能性がある。

This drink has the potential to worsen inflammation.

Uses ~可能性がある (there is a possibility).

炎症の原因を特定する必要があります。

It is necessary to identify the cause of the inflammation.

Uses ~必要がある (need to/it is necessary).

慢性的炎症は、多くの現代病の根源とされています。

Chronic inflammation is considered the root of many modern diseases.

Uses ~とされている (is considered to be).

炎症反応を抑えるために、ステロイドが処方された。

Steroids were prescribed to suppress the inflammatory response.

Uses ~ために (in order to) and passive 'shohō-sareta'.

過度な運動は、逆に関節の炎症を招くことがある。

Excessive exercise can, conversely, lead to joint inflammation.

Uses ~を招く (to invite/lead to).

体内の炎症レベルを下げる食生活を心がけましょう。

Let's strive for a diet that lowers the level of inflammation in the body.

Uses ~を心がける (to keep in mind/strive for).

炎症が長引くと、組織が損傷する恐れがあります。

If inflammation persists, there is a risk that tissues will be damaged.

Uses ~恐れがある (there is a fear/risk that).

自己免疫疾患では、自分の細胞に対して炎症が起きます。

In autoimmune diseases, inflammation occurs against one's own cells.

Uses ~に対して (against/towards).

炎症を伴う発熱がある場合は、すぐに受診してください。

If you have a fever accompanied by inflammation, please see a doctor immediately.

Uses ~を伴う (to accompany/be associated with).

ストレスが炎症性物質の分泌を促進することが分かっている。

It is known that stress promotes the secretion of inflammatory substances.

Uses ~ことが分かっている (it is known that).

微量な炎症が継続することで、血管の老化が進む。

The continuation of trace amounts of inflammation advances the aging of blood vessels.

Uses ~ことで to show cause/effect in a formal way.

炎症性サイトカインの過剰な放出が、臓器不全を引き起こす。

Excessive release of inflammatory cytokines causes organ failure.

Technical medical terminology usage.

その治療法は、炎症の根本的な解決には至らなかった。

That treatment method did not lead to a fundamental resolution of the inflammation.

Uses ~に至る (to lead to/arrive at) in the negative.

局所的な炎症が全身性の疾患へと波及するメカニズムを解明する。

To elucidate the mechanism by which localized inflammation spreads to systemic diseases.

Uses ~へと波及する (to spread/ripple out to).

炎症反応の指標であるCRP値が異常に高い数値を示している。

The CRP value, which is an indicator of inflammatory response, shows an abnormally high figure.

Uses ~である (formal 'is') and 'shimeshite-iru' (indicating).

炎症を抑制する新たなバイオマーカーの探索が進められている。

Search for new biomarkers that suppress inflammation is being advanced.

Passive progressive form 'susumerarete-iru'.

慢性炎症の制御は、長寿社会における重要な課題である。

The control of chronic inflammation is an important issue in a long-lived society.

Formal academic 'de-aru' ending.

炎症が沈静化した後も、定期的な経過観察が必要だ。

Even after the inflammation has settled, regular follow-up observation is necessary.

Uses ~た後も (even after) and 'keika-kansatsu' (follow-up).

炎症という生体防御反応が、皮肉にも自己を蝕む結果となった。

The biological defense response called inflammation ironically resulted in eroding the self.

Uses ~という (called) and the literary verb 'mushibamu' (to erode/gnaw).

炎症の遷延化は、組織の線維化を招き、不可逆的な変化をもたらす。

The prolongation of inflammation leads to tissue fibrosis and brings about irreversible changes.

Uses highly formal Sino-Japanese words like 'sen'enka' (prolongation) and 'fukagyakuteki' (irreversible).

現代社会における精神的ストレスは、目に見えない炎症を脳内に生じさせている。

Mental stress in modern society is causing invisible inflammation within the brain.

Uses causative 'shōjisaseru' (to make occur) in a metaphorical/scientific sense.

炎症の機序を分子レベルで俯瞰することで、新たなパラダイムが見えてくる。

By taking a bird's-eye view of the inflammatory mechanism at the molecular level, a new paradigm becomes visible.

Uses 'fukan suru' (bird's-eye view) and 'paradaimu' (paradigm).

その論文は、炎症と老化の関係性を再定義する画期的な内容であった。

The paper was of a groundbreaking nature, redefining the relationship between inflammation and aging.

Formal past 'de-atta'.

炎症を単なる病態としてではなく、生命の動的な均衡の一部として捉える。

To perceive inflammation not just as a pathological state, but as part of the dynamic equilibrium of life.

Uses ~としてではなく (not as ~ but...).

炎症の制御不能な連鎖、いわゆるサイトカインストームが命を脅かす。

The uncontrollable chain of inflammation, the so-called cytokine storm, threatens life.

Uses 'iwayuru' (so-called) and 'inochi o obiyakasu' (threaten life).

炎症の火種をいかに早期に消し止めるかが、予後を左右する鍵となる。

How to extinguish the spark of inflammation early on is the key that determines the prognosis.

Uses metaphor 'hidane' (spark/source of fire) and 'yogo o sayū suru' (influence the prognosis).

Common Collocations

炎症を抑える

炎症を起こす

炎症が広がる

炎症が治まる

ひどい炎症

慢性的炎症

炎症反応

抗炎症作用

炎症を鎮める

炎症が悪化する

Common Phrases

喉の炎症

— Sore throat or laryngitis. Very common when visiting a doctor.

喉の炎症がひどくて声が出ない。

皮膚の炎症

— Skin inflammation or dermatitis.

日焼けによる皮膚の炎症を治す。

炎症を散らす

— To resolve or dissipate inflammation (often used for internal issues).

薬で炎症を散らしましょう。

炎症が引く

— The inflammation goes down or recedes.

ようやく炎症が引いてきた。

関節の炎症

— Joint inflammation or arthritis symptoms.

加齢とともに関節の炎症が増える。

炎症性の

— Inflammatory (adjective form).

炎症性の疾患を抱えている。

炎症が長引く

— The inflammation persists for a long time.

炎症が長引く場合は再診してください。

炎症を予防する

— To prevent inflammation.

食事で炎症を予防する。

目に見えない炎症

— Invisible inflammation (often referring to internal or cellular levels).

体内の目に見えない炎症に注意する。

炎症が和らぐ

— The inflammation softens or eases.

治療のおかげで炎症が和らいだ。

Often Confused With

炎症 vs 火傷 (Yakedo)

Yakedo is a literal burn from heat; Enshō is biological inflammation.

炎症 vs 腫れ (Hare)

Hare is just the swelling; Enshō is the whole condition (redness/heat/pain).

炎症 vs 感染 (Kansen)

Kansen is the infection (the cause); Enshō is the body's response (the result).

Idioms & Expressions

"火に油を注ぐ"

— To pour oil on the fire. While not using the word 炎症, it shares the 'fire' (火) theme and describes making a bad situation (like an inflammation/conflict) worse.

彼の発言は火に油を注ぐ結果となった。

Common

"喉元過ぎれば熱さを忘れる"

— Once the heat passes the throat, one forgets the hotness. Used when someone forgets a painful experience (like a throat inflammation) once it is over.

喉元過ぎれば熱さを忘れるというが、今回は反省すべきだ。

Proverb

"身を切るような"

— Heart-rending or piercingly painful. Often used to describe the sharp pain associated with severe inflammation.

身を切るような痛みが続く。

Literary

"根が深い"

— The root is deep. Often used for chronic inflammation or problems that aren't easily solved.

この炎症は根が深そうだ。

Common

"火の車"

— Being in desperate financial straits. Uses the 'fire' kanji like 炎症 but for a different context.

家計が火の車だ。

Common

"火花を散らす"

— To have a heated argument or competition. Shared theme of heat/fire.

二人は激しく火花を散らした。

Common

"焼け石に水"

— Water on a hot stone. An inadequate effort for a big problem (like a tiny bit of medicine for a huge inflammation).

この程度の対策では焼け石に水だ。

Proverb

"火の粉を払う"

— To ward off sparks/trouble. Like trying to stop the spread of inflammation.

自分の身に降りかかる火の粉を払う。

Common

"足元に火がつく"

— To be in an urgent situation. Similar urgency to an acute inflammation.

いよいよ足元に火がついた。

Common

"対岸の火事"

— Fire on the opposite bank. Someone else's problem (not worrying about another's inflammation).

それを対岸の火事と思ってはいけない。

Proverb

Easily Confused

炎症 vs 演習 (Enshū)

Similar 'en' sound.

Enshū means practice, exercise, or maneuvers (military/academic). 炎症 is medical.

数学の演習問題を解く。(Solve math practice problems.)

炎症 vs 遠足 (Ensoku)

Similar 'en' sound.

Ensoku is a school excursion or outing.

明日は遠足です。(Tomorrow is a field trip.)

炎症 vs 延期 (Enki)

Similar 'en' sound.

Enki means postponement.

試合が延期になった。(The match was postponed.)

炎症 vs 印象 (Inshō)

Sounds slightly similar to Enshō.

Inshō means 'impression'.

第一印象が大切だ。(First impressions are important.)

炎症 vs 怨念 (Onnen)

Vaguely similar sound in some dialects/speed.

Onnen means a grudge or deep-seated resentment.

怨念を抱く。(To hold a grudge.)

Sentence Patterns

Noun に炎症があります。

膝に炎症があります。

Noun が炎症を起こしています。

目が炎症を起こしています。

炎症を抑えるために Noun を V-ます。

炎症を抑えるために氷で冷やします。

炎症がひどいので、Noun は控えてください。

炎症がひどいので、運動は控えてください。

炎症の原因は Noun だと考えられます。

炎症の原因は細菌感染だと考えられます。

慢性的な炎症を放置すると、Noun になります。

慢性的な炎症を放置すると、大きな病気になります。

炎症反応の指標である Noun が上昇しています。

炎症反応の指標であるCRP値が上昇しています。

炎症という生体反応の機序を Noun レベルで解明する。

炎症という生体反応の機序を分子レベルで解明する。

Word Family

Nouns

炎症 (Inflammation)

抗炎症薬 (Anti-inflammatory drug)

消炎剤 (Antiphlogistic)

炎症反応 (Inflammatory response)

Verbs

炎症を起こす (To cause inflammation)

炎症を抑える (To suppress inflammation)

炎症を鎮める (To calm inflammation)

Adjectives

炎症性の (Inflammatory)

抗炎症の (Anti-inflammatory)

肺炎 (Pneumonia)

胃炎 (Gastritis)

皮膚炎 (Dermatitis)

肝炎 (Hepatitis)

関節炎 (Arthritis)

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in medical and health contexts; moderate in daily life.

Common Mistakes

Using '炎症する' (enshō suru). → 炎症を起こす (enshō o okosu).
炎症 is a noun, not a suru-verb in standard Japanese.
Confusing '炎症' with '火傷' (yakedo). → Using '炎症' for medical inflammation and '火傷' for a heat burn.
Both have fire kanji, but they describe different things.
Pronouncing it as 'ensho' (short o). → enshō (long o).
Vowel length is critical for being understood in Japanese.
Using '炎症' to mean 'angry'. → 怒っている (okotte iru).
In English, 'inflamed' can mean heated/angry, but not in Japanese.
Saying '炎症が痛い'. → 炎症で痛い or 炎症に痛みがある.
It's more natural to say you have pain *due to* inflammation.

Tips

The Fire Kanji

Remember that 炎 is two fires. Inflammation feels like a fire in your body. This makes the kanji very easy to remember.

Use with 'Okosu'

Don't just say 'enshō shita'. Use 'enshō o okoshita' to sound like a native speaker.

At the Clinic

If a Japanese doctor says 'enshō', they are giving you a diagnosis. Ask 'Doko no enshō desu ka?' (Where is the inflammation?) if you aren't sure.

Drugstore Tip

Look for the characters 炎 on medicine for pain relief or skin rashes. It's a key keyword for finding the right product.

Long Vowel

Make sure to hold the 'o' in 'shō'. Shortening it makes the word sound incomplete or like a different word.

Commercial Keywords

In Japanese TV ads, 'enshō' is often paired with 'shizumeru' (to calm) or 'osaeru' (to suppress).

Radical Awareness

The sickness radical (疒) is used in many medical words like 病 (illness) and 疲 (tired). Learning it helps with 症.

Sports Medicine

If you play sports in Japan, you'll hear this a lot. 'Aishingu' (icing) is the standard advice for 炎症.

Blood Tests

CRP is the common marker for 炎症 in Japanese blood tests. If a doctor mentions CRP, they are talking about inflammation.

Avoid Metaphors

Unlike 'inflamed' in English, which can sometimes be metaphorical, Japanese 炎症 is almost always literal and medical.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine two fires (炎) burning inside a person, causing a medical symptom (症). That's 炎症!

Visual Association

Picture a red, glowing 'fire' symbol over a swollen knee or a red throat.

Word Web

Hospital Doctor Medicine Redness Swelling Pain Heat Immune System

Challenge

Try to find three items in a Japanese drugstore that have the kanji 炎 on them and figure out what part of the body they are for.

Word Origin

The word 炎症 comes from Middle Chinese roots. The first character 炎 (en) represents two 'fire' (火) radicals stacked vertically, signifying intense heat or a great flame. The second character 症 (shō) consists of the 'sickness' radical (疒) and the phonetic component 正.

Original meaning: Originally, 炎 referred to literal flames or heat, and 症 referred to symptoms of disease. Together, they described diseases characterized by heat and redness.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Cultural Context

It is a neutral medical term. No specific sensitivities, but avoid using it metaphorically for people's temperaments (use 'tanki' for short-tempered instead).

In English, we often use 'inflamed' as an adjective, whereas Japanese speakers primarily use the noun 'enshō'.

Used in almost every medical drama like 'Doctor-X' or 'Code Blue'. Commonly discussed in NHK health programs like 'Kyo no Kenko'. Mentioned in sports manga like 'Slam Dunk' when players get injured.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Hospital/Clinic

炎症がありますか？
炎症を抑える薬です。
炎症がひどいです。
検査をしましょう。

Pharmacy

炎症に効く薬はありますか？
塗り薬をください。
抗炎症作用があります。
用法を守ってください。

Sports Gym

アイシングをします。
炎症を起こしやすい。
無理をしないでください。
筋肉の炎症。

Skincare

肌の炎症を鎮める。
低刺激の化粧水。
赤みを抑える。
敏感肌。

Daily Conversation

喉が痛い。
炎症かな？
早く治るといいね。
お大事に。

Conversation Starters

"最近、喉の炎症がなかなか治らなくて困っているんだ。"

"日焼けした後に炎症を抑えるには、何が一番いいと思う？"

"血液検査で炎症反応が出たことある？"

"このクリーム、皮膚の炎症にすごく効くよ。"

"慢性的炎症を防ぐために、どんな食事をしてる？"

Journal Prompts

もし体に炎症が起きたら、あなたはまず何をしますか？

最近、健康のために炎症を抑えるような食べ物を食べましたか？

スポーツで炎症を起こした経験について書いてください。

日本の病院で「炎症」という言葉を聞いたことがありますか？その時の状況は？

慢性的炎症を避けるために、生活習慣で変えたいことはありますか？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No. While infection can cause inflammation, 炎症 can also be caused by injuries (like a sprained ankle), allergies, or autoimmune responses where no infection is present.

You can say '抗炎症の' (kō-enshō-no) or '炎症を抑える' (enshō-o-osaeru). Medicine is often called '消炎剤' (shōenzai) or '抗炎症薬' (kō-enshō-yaku).

No, that is not natural. 炎症 is strictly physical. For emotional pain, use '胸が痛い' (mune ga itai) or '心が痛む' (kokoro ga itamu).

Yes, very. You will hear it at clinics, see it in commercials, and read it in health magazines. It's a basic medical term everyone knows.

腫れ (hare) is the visible swelling. 炎症 (enshō) is the underlying medical condition that includes swelling, redness, and pain.

炎 is two fires (火) on top of each other. 症 is the sickness radical (疒) with 'sei' (正) inside. Practice them together!

Japanese doesn't have a single verb for it. You use phrases like '炎症を起こす' (enshō o okosu) or '炎症が生じる' (enshō ga shōjiru).

It is '慢性炎症' (mansei enshō). This is a hot topic in Japanese health media regarding long-term diseases.

Yes! A sunburn is a classic example of 炎症. You would say '日焼けで皮膚が炎症を起こしている'.

No. For a building fire, use '火事' (kaji). 炎症 is only for biological inflammation.