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栄養失調

B1 noun #8,000 most common 7 min read

栄養失調

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 栄養失調 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 栄養失調 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word 栄養失調 (Eiyō Shitchō) often. It is a big, difficult word. Instead, you usually talk about being hungry (おなかがすいた - onaka ga suita) or not eating vegetables (野菜を食べない - yasai o tabenai). However, it is good to know that 栄養 (eiyō) means 'nutrition' or 'good things in food.' If you see this word in a book, remember it means a person is very sick because they did not eat good food for a long time. You might see it in simple stories about history or people in far-away countries. It is a noun, so you can say 'Eiyō shitchō desu' to mean 'It is malnutrition.' But for now, focus on words like 'tabemono' (food) and 'karada' (body).

At the A2 level, you are starting to learn more 'kanji' compounds. 栄養失調 is a compound of four kanji. You should recognize that 栄養 (eiyō) is 'nutrition.' You might use this word when talking about health (健康 - kenkō). For example, you can say 'Eiyō ga tarimasen' (Nutrition is not enough). 栄養失調 is a more serious version of that. You might hear it in a simple news report or see it on a health poster in a Japanese school. It's important to know that it's a 'bad' health state. You can use it with 'ni naru' (to become). Example: 'Eiyō shitchō ni narimashita' (Became malnourished). This level is about understanding the basic meaning in context.

At the B1 level (your current level), 栄養失調 is a key vocabulary word for discussing social issues and health. You should be able to use it in sentences to describe why someone is ill. You'll learn that it's not just about 'not eating,' but about 'losing the balance' (shitchō) of nutrition. You can use it in the structure '[Cause] de eiyō shitchō ni naru.' This is a common word in the JLPT N2/N3 range. You should also be able to distinguish it from 栄養不足 (eiyō busoku), which is just a 'lack' of nutrition. At this level, you can participate in basic discussions about world hunger or the importance of a balanced diet using this term.

At the B2 level, you should understand the nuance of 栄養失調 in formal writing and news broadcasts. You should be familiar with related terms like '新型栄養失調' (modern malnutrition) and how it applies to modern Japanese society. You can use more complex verbs like '陥る' (ochiiru - to fall into) or '招く' (maneku - to bring about/cause). You should also be able to explain the components of the word (栄、養、失、調) to someone else. At this stage, you are expected to use the word accurately in essays about health, sociology, or international relations without confusing it with simple hunger.

At the C1 level, you use 栄養失調 with precision in academic or professional contexts. You might discuss the 'pathophysiology' (byōtai seiri) of 栄養失調 or its 'socio-economic impact' (shakai keizaiteki eikyō). You understand the historical weight of the word in Japan, particularly in the context of the post-war 'Kyodatsu' state. You can use the word metaphorically in very specific literary contexts, though this is rare. You are also aware of the technical sub-categories, such as protein-energy malnutrition, and how they are translated into Japanese medical terminology. Your usage reflects a deep understanding of Japanese medical and social discourse.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 栄養失調 is native-like. You can navigate complex discussions about public health policy, the history of the Japanese school lunch system, and the subtle linguistic shifts between 'teieiyō' (low nutrition) and 'eiyō shitchō' in clinical guidelines. You can critically analyze media portrayals of malnutrition in both domestic and international contexts. You can use the word in high-level debates or write scholarly articles where the term is used as a standard medical and sociological descriptor. You understand all the cultural baggage and historical imagery associated with the term in the Japanese collective memory.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

栄養失調 in 30 Seconds

A formal noun meaning 'malnutrition,' combining 'nutrition' and 'imbalance.'
Primarily used in medical, social, and historical contexts regarding health.
Implies a serious clinical state, not just temporary hunger or lack of food.
Commonly paired with verbs like 'ni naru' (become) and 'ni ochiiru' (fall into).

The term 栄養失調 (Eiyō Shitchō) is a formal and clinical Japanese noun that translates directly to 'malnutrition.' To understand its weight, one must break down the kanji: 栄 (Ei - prosperity/glory) and 養 (Yō - foster/nurture) combine to form 栄養 (Eiyō), meaning 'nutrition.' The second half, 失 (Shitsu - loss/error) and 調 (Chō - tone/harmony/condition), creates 失調 (Shitchō), which refers to a failure, imbalance, or loss of normal function. Together, they describe a state where the body's nutritional harmony has collapsed. In contemporary Japan, while extreme starvation is rare, the term is frequently used in medical contexts, humanitarian reports, and social commentary regarding the elderly or those living in poverty. It isn't just about 'not eating enough'; it also encompasses 'not eating the right things,' a condition often called 新型栄養失調 (Shingata Eiyō Shitchō) or 'modern-type malnutrition,' where individuals consume enough calories but lack essential micronutrients like vitamins and minerals.

Clinical Context: Used by doctors to describe patients with severe deficiencies, often seen in the elderly who live alone or patients with eating disorders.

Global Context: Used in news reports concerning developing nations, famine, or war zones where food security is compromised.

Social Context: Discussed in the media regarding 'poverty in plain sight' (miezaru hinkon), where children may suffer from malnutrition due to their parents' inability to provide balanced meals.

戦後の日本は、多くの子供たちが栄養失調に苦しんでいました。(In post-war Japan, many children suffered from malnutrition.)

独居老人の栄養失調が社会問題となっている。(Malnutrition among the elderly living alone has become a social issue.)

過度なダイエットは栄養失調を招く恐れがある。(Excessive dieting may lead to malnutrition.)

彼は深刻な栄養失調で入院した。(He was hospitalized due to severe malnutrition.)

飽食の時代でも、栄養失調になる人はいる。(Even in an age of abundance, some people become malnourished.)

Historically, 栄養失調 evokes images of the immediate post-World War II era in Japan, known as the 'Kyodatsu' state, where food shortages were rampant. Because of this history, the word carries a heavy, serious connotation. In modern linguistic use, it has evolved to describe the irony of the 'overfed but undernourished' population who rely on convenience store meals. It is a word that bridges medical science and social criticism.

When using 栄養失調 in a sentence, it most commonly functions as a noun that takes various particles depending on the action. The most frequent verb pairing is になる (ni naru), meaning 'to become' or 'to develop' malnutrition. In more formal or medical contexts, に陥る (ni ochiiru) is used, which conveys a sense of 'falling into' or 'succumbing to' a state of malnutrition. Because it is a condition, you will often see it followed by で (de) to indicate a cause, as in 'hospitalized due to malnutrition.'

Common Verb Pairings: ~になる (to become), ~に陥る (to fall into), ~を解消する (to resolve), ~を防ぐ (to prevent), ~を招く (to cause/invite).

Adjectival Modifiers: 深刻な (shinkoku-na - serious), 慢性的 (mansei-teki - chronic), 軽度の (keido-no - mild), 急性の (kyūsei-no - acute).

Grammatical Structures: [Person] は栄養失調だ (Person is malnourished). [Cause] で栄養失調になる (Become malnourished due to [cause]).

偏った食事を続けると、栄養失調になる危険があります。(If you continue an unbalanced diet, there is a danger of becoming malnourished.)

その子供は栄養失調の兆候を示している。(That child is showing signs of malnutrition.)

災害地では、多くの人が栄養失調に陥っています。(In disaster-stricken areas, many people are falling into malnutrition.)

医師は彼の体調不良を栄養失調のせいだと診断した。(The doctor diagnosed his poor health as being due to malnutrition.)

ビタミン不足による栄養失調は現代人にも多い。(Malnutrition due to vitamin deficiency is common even among modern people.)

In a sentence, 栄養失調 acts as the core problem. It is often the subject of a scientific study or the object of a medical intervention. Notice that in Japanese, the word itself doesn't distinguish between 'undernutrition' and 'overnutrition' (like obesity-related malnutrition) without additional context. However, the default assumption in general conversation is usually undernutrition or a lack of specific vitamins.

You are likely to encounter 栄養失調 in four primary domains: the news, medical facilities, history textbooks, and social documentaries. It is not a word used lightly in daily conversation—you wouldn't tell a friend they are 'malnourished' just because they skipped breakfast. Instead, it is reserved for serious discussions about health and societal welfare.

In the News and Media, the word appears in reports about international aid. When Japanese news outlets cover famine in Africa or the effects of war in the Middle East, 栄養失調 is the standard term used to describe the humanitarian crisis. You will hear phrases like '深刻な栄養失調に苦しむ子供たち' (children suffering from severe malnutrition).

In Medical Settings, doctors use it during consultations if a patient's blood work shows significant deficiencies. It is particularly common in discussions about geriatric care. As Japan's population ages, many elderly individuals living alone suffer from 'low nutrition' (teieiyō), which can progress to 栄養失調 if they lose the appetite or ability to cook for themselves.

In History Class, students learn about the Post-War Reconstruction period. The 'school lunch' (kyūshoku) system in Japan was actually revitalized and expanded specifically to combat the widespread 栄養失調 that plagued Japanese children after 1945. References to 'bread and skim milk' in post-war stories often lead to this term.

Finally, in Modern Social Issues, you might hear about '新型栄養失調' (New-type Malnutrition). This is a buzzword in health magazines and talk shows. It refers to young professionals or students who eat plenty of calories (via instant noodles or fast food) but are medically malnourished because they lack protein and vegetables. This usage has made the word more relevant to the average healthy-looking person in Japan.

One of the most common mistakes learners make with 栄養失調 is using it too casually. In English, we might jokingly say, 'I'm malnourished' if we haven't eaten a good meal in two days. In Japanese, saying 「私は栄養失調です」 (Watashi wa eiyō shitchō desu) sounds like a dire medical emergency or a sign of extreme poverty. It carries a heavy clinical weight. If you just mean you're hungry or haven't eaten well lately, use 「栄養が足りていない」 (Eiyō ga tarite inai) or 「ちゃんとしたものを食べていない」 (Chanto shita mono o tabete inai).

Another mistake is confusing 栄養失調 (Malnutrition) with 栄養不足 (Nutritional Deficiency/Lack). While they are related, 栄養不足 is the state of lacking nutrients, whereas 栄養失調 is the medical condition or disorder resulting from that lack. Think of 栄養不足 as the cause and 栄養失調 as the clinical result.

Grammatically, learners often struggle with the particle used after the word. When saying 'die of malnutrition,' the particle should be で (de), indicating the cause: 栄養失調で亡くなる (Eiyō shitchō de nakunaru). Using に (ni) here would be incorrect. However, when saying 'fall into malnutrition,' you must use に (ni): 栄養失調に陥る (Eiyō shitchō ni ochiiru).

Lastly, don't confuse the kanji 失調 (shitchō) with 失致 (shitchi - a rare term for oversight) or 失態 (shittai - a blunder/disgrace). The 'chō' (調) in 栄養失調 refers specifically to the 'tone' or 'balance' of the body's systems. If the 'chō' is 'shitsu' (lost), the body's harmony is gone.

There are several words in Japanese that deal with the lack of food or nutrition. Choosing the right one depends on the severity and the specific context.

栄養不足 (Eiyō Busoku): Meaning 'insufficient nutrition.' This is the most common and less intense version of 栄養失調. It's used when someone's diet isn't balanced but they aren't necessarily in a clinical state of disease.

飢餓 (Kiga): Meaning 'hunger' or 'starvation.' This refers to the extreme state of having no food at all. While 栄養失調 can happen even if you eat (but eat the wrong things), 飢餓 implies a total lack of caloric intake.

偏食 (Henshoku): Meaning 'unbalanced diet' or 'picky eating.' This is the habit of only eating certain foods, which often leads to 栄養不足 and eventually 栄養失調.

低栄養 (Tei-eiyō): Meaning 'low nutrition.' This is a more modern, clinical term often used in nursing and elderly care to describe a state that isn't quite 'malnutrition' yet but is a significant health risk.

In summary, use 栄養失調 for the medical condition, 栄養不足 for a general lack of nutrients, 飢餓 for starvation/famine, and 偏食 for the behavior of picky eating. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more natural and precise in Japanese.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji 栄 (Ei) originally meant 'flower' or 'glory,' suggesting that nutrition is what makes the body 'bloom' or 'prosper.'

Pronunciation Guide

UK /eɪjoʊ ʃɪttʃoʊ/

US /eɪjoʊ ʃɪttʃoʊ/

Japanese is a pitch-accent language. In 'Eiyō', the pitch usually stays flat or slightly rises. In 'Shitchō', the pitch often falls.

Rhymes With

Kishō (気象) Bishō (微笑) Zesshō (絶唱) Gasshō (合唱) Hisshō (必勝) Kesshō (結晶) Nenshō (燃焼) Inshō (印象)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'ei' as two separate vowels (e-i) instead of a long 'e'.
Missing the small 'tsu' pause in 'shitchō'.
Shortening the long 'o' sounds in 'yō' and 'chō'.
Confusing 'shitchō' with 'shichō' (mayor).
Pronouncing 'eiyō' as 'eiyo' (short 'o').

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Kanji are standard but require knowledge of compounds. 栄 and 養 are common; 失 and 調 are also basic, but the combination is formal.

Writing 4/5

Writing the kanji 栄養 requires practice (many strokes in 養).

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward once you master the long vowels.

Listening 3/5

Can be confused with other 'shitchō' words if not heard clearly.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

栄養健康食事不足病気

Learn Next

飢餓偏食免疫代謝肥満

Advanced

低タンパク血症ビタミン欠乏症公衆衛生罹患率

Grammar to Know

Cause + で (Result)

栄養失調で倒れる。

State + に陥る (Fall into a state)

深刻な栄養失調に陥る。

Noun + による + Noun (Due to...)

栄養失調による体力低下。

Verb-nai + ように (So that... not)

栄養失調にならないように食べる。

Noun + と診断される (Diagnosed as...)

栄養失調と診断された。

Examples by Level

彼は栄養失調です。

He is malnourished.

Noun + desu (is).

栄養失調はこわいです。

Malnutrition is scary.

Topic wa adjective.

栄養失調にならないでください。

Please do not become malnourished.

~ni naru (become) + ~nai de kudasai (please don't).

食べ物がないと、栄養失調になります。

If there is no food, you will get malnutrition.

Condition (to) + result.

栄養失調の子供がいます。

There are malnourished children.

Noun no Noun (malnourished child).

これは栄養失調の薬ですか？

Is this medicine for malnutrition?

Question form.

栄養失調は病気です。

Malnutrition is a sickness.

A wa B desu.

猫が栄養失調でした。

The cat was malnourished.

Past tense of desu.

野菜を食べないと栄養失調になりますよ。

You'll get malnutrition if you don't eat vegetables.

Condition (nai to) + warning.

彼は栄養失調で入院しました。

He was hospitalized due to malnutrition.

De (reason) + verb.

栄養失調を治すのは大変です。

It is hard to cure malnutrition.

Verb (dictionary form) + no wa (nominalization).

世界には栄養失調の人がたくさんいます。

There are many malnourished people in the world.

Place ni wa + subject ga iru.

栄養失調の兆候は何ですか？

What are the signs of malnutrition?

Noun no Noun (signs of...).

お菓子ばかり食べると栄養失調になります。

If you only eat sweets, you will get malnutrition.

Bakari (only) + verb.

栄養失調にならないように、よく食べましょう。

Let's eat well so we don't become malnourished.

~nai yō ni (so that... not).

その犬は栄養失調から回復した。

The dog recovered from malnutrition.

Kara (from) + verb.

深刻な栄養失調に陥る危険性があります。

There is a risk of falling into severe malnutrition.

Ni ochiiru (fall into) + kikensei (risk).

戦後の日本は栄養失調が社会問題でした。

In post-war Japan, malnutrition was a social issue.

Historical context usage.

ダイエットのしすぎで栄養失調になった。

I became malnourished from dieting too much.

V-stem + sugiru (overdo) + de (reason).

栄養失調を防ぐために、学校給食があります。

School lunches exist to prevent malnutrition.

Verb (dictionary) + tame ni (in order to).

彼は栄養失調のせいで体が弱くなっている。

His body is getting weak because of malnutrition.

No sei de (because of - negative result).

現代でも、偏食による栄養失調が問題だ。

Even today, malnutrition due to an unbalanced diet is a problem.

Noun ni yoru (due to).

栄養失調と診断された患者が増えている。

The number of patients diagnosed with malnutrition is increasing.

To shindan sareru (be diagnosed as).

十分な食料があっても、栄養失調は起こりうる。

Even if there is enough food, malnutrition can happen.

V-stem + uru (can/possible).

長引く干害によって、多くの家畜が栄養失調で死んだ。

Due to the prolonged drought, many livestock died of malnutrition.

Formal cause/effect.

独居老人の栄養失調を未然に防ぐ策が必要だ。

Measures are needed to prevent malnutrition in the elderly living alone.

Mizen ni fusegu (prevent before it happens).

新型栄養失調は、カロリーは足りているが微量栄養素が不足している状態だ。

Modern malnutrition is a state where calories are sufficient but micronutrients are lacking.

Defining a complex term.

経済的な理由で栄養失調に陥る子供を放置してはならない。

We must not neglect children who fall into malnutrition for economic reasons.

V-te wa naranai (must not).

栄養失調の症状として、極度の疲労感や免疫力の低下が挙げられる。

Symptoms of malnutrition include extreme fatigue and decreased immunity.

To shite... ga agerareru (as..., ... are mentioned).

被災地への栄養失調対策として、ビタミン剤が送られた。

Vitamin supplements were sent as a countermeasure against malnutrition in the disaster area.

Noun taisaku (measures against...).

その報告書は、栄養失調が学力に与える影響を指摘している。

The report points out the impact malnutrition has on academic ability.

A ga B ni ataeru eikyō (impact A has on B).

栄養失調の状態が続くと、内臓機能に支障をきたす。

If the state of malnutrition continues, it causes problems with internal organ functions.

Shishō o kitasu (to cause a hindrance/trouble).

慢性的な栄養失調は、子供の身体的・精神的発達に不可逆的なダメージを与える。

Chronic malnutrition causes irreversible damage to a child's physical and mental development.

Fukagyakuteki (irreversible) - high level adj.

紛争地における栄養失調の蔓延は、国際社会が早急に解決すべき課題である。

The prevalence of malnutrition in conflict zones is an issue the international community must resolve urgently.

Man'en (prevalence/spread) - formal noun.

その理論は、社会格差が栄養失調の主要な要因であることを示唆している。

The theory suggests that social disparity is a major factor in malnutrition.

Shisa suru (to suggest/imply).

栄養失調の治療には、単なるカロリー摂取だけでなく、バランスの取れた食事が不可欠だ。

In the treatment of malnutrition, not just simple calorie intake but a balanced diet is indispensable.

Tannaru... dake de naku (not just merely...).

高齢者の低栄養状態が進行し、深刻な栄養失調へと至るケースが散見される。

There are scattered cases where low nutrition in the elderly progresses to severe malnutrition.

Sanken sareru (to be seen here and there).

政治的混乱が食料供給網を寸断し、大規模な栄養失調を招いた。

Political turmoil disrupted the food supply chain, leading to large-scale malnutrition.

Sundan suru (to cut to pieces/disrupt).

栄養失調という言葉の裏には、貧困や教育の欠如といった構造的な問題が潜んでいる。

Behind the word 'malnutrition' lie structural problems such as poverty and lack of education.

No ura ni wa... ga hisonde iru (behind... lies...).

公衆衛生の観点から、栄養失調の早期発見と介入が極めて重要である。

From a public health perspective, early detection and intervention for malnutrition are extremely important.

Kanten kara (from the perspective of).

栄養失調の病態生理を解明することは、効果的な治療プロトコルの確立に寄与する。

Elucidating the pathophysiology of malnutrition contributes to the establishment of effective treatment protocols.

Byōtai seiri (pathophysiology).

戦後復興期における栄養失調の克服は、日本の公衆衛生史上、特筆すべき成果である。

Overcoming malnutrition during the post-war reconstruction period is a noteworthy achievement in Japan's public health history.

Tokuhitsu subeki (noteworthy).

当該地域における栄養失調の罹患率は、依然として高水準で推移している。

The morbidity rate of malnutrition in the region remains at a high level.

Rikan-ritsu (morbidity rate) / Suī suru (to transition/change).

栄養失調がもたらす免疫不全状態は、二次感染のリスクを著しく増大させる。

The immunodeficiency state caused by malnutrition significantly increases the risk of secondary infections.

Ichijirushiku (significantly).

社会保障制度の不備が、潜在的な栄養失調層を生み出しているという批判がある。

There is criticism that deficiencies in the social security system are creating a latent malnourished population.

Senzai-teki (latent/hidden).

栄養失調の是正には、多角的なアプローチによる食糧安全保障の確立が急務である。

To rectify malnutrition, establishing food security through a multi-faceted approach is an urgent task.

Zesei (rectification/correction).

微量元素の欠乏を伴う栄養失調は、しばしば臨床的に見落とされがちである。

Malnutrition accompanied by trace element deficiencies is often clinically overlooked.

V-stem + gachi (tendency to...).

栄養失調の蔓延を食い止めるためには、農業政策と保健政策の密接な連携が不可欠だ。

To halt the spread of malnutrition, close cooperation between agricultural and health policies is indispensable.

Kui-tomeru (to halt/check/stop).

Common Collocations

栄養失調になる

栄養失調に陥る

栄養失調を招く

栄養失調を防ぐ

栄養失調の兆候

栄養失調で倒れる

栄養失調を解消する

慢性的な栄養失調

深刻な栄養失調

新型栄養失調

Common Phrases

栄養失調気味

— Slightly malnourished or showing signs of it.

最近、栄養失調気味で疲れやすい。

栄養失調の状態

— The state of being malnourished.

患者は極度の栄養失調の状態にある。

栄養失調による病気

— Diseases caused by malnutrition.

栄養失調による病気を予防する。

栄養失調から救う

— To save someone from malnutrition.

子供たちを栄養失調から救いたい。

栄養失調の改善

— The improvement of a malnourished state.

栄養失調の改善には時間がかかる。

栄養失調の恐怖

— The fear of malnutrition.

戦争による栄養失調の恐怖。

栄養失調の子供たち

— Malnourished children (common in aid contexts).

栄養失調の子供たちに募金する。

栄養失調の診断

— A diagnosis of malnutrition.

病院で栄養失調の診断を受けた。

栄養失調対策

— Countermeasures against malnutrition.

政府が栄養失調対策を講じる。

極度の栄養失調

— Extreme malnutrition.

彼は極度の栄養失調で意識を失った。

Often Confused With

栄養失調 vs 栄養不足

Eiyō busoku is a general lack of nutrients; Eiyō shitchō is the clinical disease/state resulting from it.

栄養失調 vs 飢餓

Kiga refers specifically to starvation/lack of food calories; Eiyō shitchō can include vitamin deficiency even if calories are eaten.

栄養失調 vs 衰弱

Suijaku means general physical weakness, which can be caused by many things, not just malnutrition.

Idioms & Expressions

"栄養失調の顔"

— A face that looks sickly and malnourished.

彼は栄養失調の顔をしている。

Informal/Negative

"心の栄養失調"

— Metaphorical: A lack of emotional or spiritual fulfillment.

現代人は心の栄養失調に陥っている。

Literary/Metaphorical

"知識の栄養失調"

— Metaphorical: A lack of knowledge or intellectual stimulation.

本を読まないと知識の栄養失調になる。

Metaphorical

"愛情の栄養失調"

— Metaphorical: A lack of love or affection.

愛情の栄養失調で育った子供。

Psychological

"文化の栄養失調"

— Metaphorical: A lack of cultural exposure or richness.

地方の文化の栄養失調を危惧する。

Social Critique

"経済の栄養失調"

— Metaphorical: A lack of investment or growth in the economy.

日本経済は栄養失調の状態だ。

Economic

"情報の栄養失調"

— Metaphorical: Receiving only biased or poor quality information.

ネットばかり見ていると情報の栄養失調になる。

Modern Metaphor

"言葉の栄養失調"

— Metaphorical: A limited vocabulary or poor communication skills.

若者の言葉の栄養失調が深刻だ。

Literary

"夢の栄養失調"

— Metaphorical: Losing the ability to dream or hope.

夢の栄養失調に陥らないようにしよう。

Poetic

"組織の栄養失調"

— Metaphorical: A company lacking talent or new ideas.

その会社は組織の栄養失調で倒産した。

Business

Easily Confused

栄養失調 vs 失調

It sounds like other 'shitsu' words.

失調 (shitchō) means 'imbalance/disorder' of a system. 失態 (shittai) is a blunder. 失職 (shisshoku) is losing a job. 失調 is specifically used for physiological or systemic imbalances.

自律神経失調症 (Autonomic nervous system disorder).

栄養失調 vs 栄養学

Both start with 栄養.

栄養学 (eiyōgaku) is the *study* of nutrition, whereas 栄養失調 is the *condition* of being malnourished.

大学で栄養学を専攻する。

栄養失調 vs 偏食

Related to poor eating.

偏食 (henshoku) is the *act* of being a picky eater. 栄養失調 is the *result* of poor nutrition.

偏食のせいで栄養失調になった。

栄養失調 vs 低栄養

Very similar meaning.

低栄養 (tei-eiyō) is a milder, more modern clinical term often used for the elderly. 栄養失調 sounds more severe and traditional.

高齢者の低栄養状態を改善する。

栄養失調 vs 飢え

Both involve not eating.

飢え (ue) is the *feeling* of hunger or the state of starving. 栄養失調 is a medical noun.

飢えに苦しむ。

Sentence Patterns

[Person] は栄養失調です。

彼は栄養失調です。

[Cause] で栄養失調になる。

ダイエットで栄養失調になる。

栄養失調にならないように [Action]。

栄養失調にならないように野菜を食べる。

栄養失調に陥る危険がある。

栄養失調の兆候が見られる。

栄養失調は [Issue] の要因となる。

栄養失調は学力低下の要因となる。

栄養失調の是正が急務である。

栄養失調の病態生理を解明する。

Word Family

Nouns

栄養 (Nutrition)

失調 (Disorder/Imbalance)

栄養士 (Nutritionist)

栄養学 (Nutrition science)

Verbs

栄養を摂る (Take in nutrition)

失調する (To fall into disorder - rare alone)

Adjectives

栄養のある (Nutritious)

栄養不足の (Undernourished)

健康 (Health)

偏食 (Unbalanced diet)

飢餓 (Starvation)

サプリメント (Supplement)

給食 (School lunch)

How to Use It

frequency

Medium (Common in specific genres like news or health)

Common Mistakes

栄養失調を食べている → 栄養失調になっている
You don't 'eat' malnutrition; you 'become' or 'are in' that state.
お腹が空いたから、栄養失調だ。 → お腹が空いたから、何か食べたい。
Hunger is not the same as the medical condition of malnutrition.
栄養失調に亡くなった。 → 栄養失調で亡くなった。
The particle 'de' is required to show the cause of death.
栄養失調を治すために、ご飯をたくさん食べた。 → 栄養失調を改善するために、バランスよく食べた。
Quantity alone doesn't fix malnutrition; balance (micronutrients) is key.
栄養失態 → 栄養失調
Confusing 'shitchō' (imbalance) with 'shittai' (blunder).

Tips

Particle Choice

Use 'ni' with verbs like 'naru' or 'ochiiru' to show the state you enter. Use 'de' to show it as a cause for something else, like falling or being hospitalized.

The School Lunch Connection

Remember that Japanese 'Kyushoku' (school lunch) was designed to prevent 栄養失調. This helps you remember the word's importance in Japanese society.

Breaking down Shitchō

Focus on 'Shitsu' (lose) and 'Chō' (balance). If you lose your balance, you have shitchō. This applies to nutrition and the nervous system.

Avoid Hyperbole

Don't use this word to describe yourself after a long gym session or a skipped meal. It sounds like you are dying. Stick to 'onaka peko-peko' for hunger.

Modern vs. Old

Old usage: famine/starvation. Modern usage: 'Shingata' (new type) meaning vitamin deficiency from junk food.

Strokes in 養

The kanji 養 (nurture) has 15 strokes. The bottom part is 食 (eat), which is a great hint for its meaning related to food and nutrition.

Context Clues

If you hear words like 'byōin' (hospital) or 'shindan' (diagnosis), the word is likely 栄養失調 rather than a similar sounding word.

Historical Texts

When reading about the 1940s in Japan, expect to see this word often. It's a key term for understanding that era.

Compassion

When using this word in social contexts (like poverty), it carries a sense of tragedy. Use it with appropriate empathy.

The Tuner

Think of your body as a radio. 'Eiyō' is the power. 'Shitchō' means you've lost the ability to tune (調) the station. The radio is broken.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a tree that was once 'Prospering' (栄) and 'Nurtured' (養), but now it has 'Lost' (失) its 'Harmony' (調) and is wilting.

Visual Association

A person looking at a plate of only white rice (imbalance) while their body's internal 'tuner' (調) is broken (失).

Word Web

Health Doctor Food Vitamins Poverty Diet Blood test Weakness

Challenge

Try to explain to a friend why eating only ramen for a month might lead to 栄養失調.

Word Origin

Composed of Sino-Japanese (Kango) roots. 'Eiyō' (栄養) was adapted in the Meiji era to translate Western medical concepts of nutrition. 'Shitchō' (失調) comes from classical Chinese roots meaning 'to lose the tune/balance.'

Original meaning: The loss of the body's nutritional balance.

Sino-Japanese (Kango)

Cultural Context

Be careful when using this word; it implies severe neglect or poverty, which can be a sensitive topic in Japan's 'middle-class' society.

In English, 'malnutrition' often brings to mind starving children in distant countries. In Japan, it is increasingly used to describe local social issues with the elderly and poor students.

Grave of the Fireflies (Hotaru no Haka) - Depicts malnutrition during WWII. Post-war 'Kyūshoku' (School Lunch) history books. Modern NHK documentaries on 'Elderly Poverty' (Rōgo破産).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Hospital/Clinic

栄養失調の診断
血液検査の結果
点滴を打つ
食事療法

News/Journalism

深刻な飢餓状態
人道支援
栄養失調の蔓延
死亡率の上昇

History Class

戦後の食糧難
配給制度
学校給食の始まり
救済処置

Health & Fitness

過度な食事制限
リバウンド
新型栄養失調の予防
サプリメントの活用

Social Welfare

独居老人の見守り
子供食堂
貧困ライン
福祉の充実

Conversation Starters

"最近のニュースで、海外の栄養失調の問題について見ましたか？ (Did you see the news about malnutrition overseas?)"

"「新型栄養失調」という言葉を聞いたことがありますか？ (Have you heard of the term 'Modern Malnutrition'?)"

"栄養失調を防ぐために、普段の食事で気をつけていることはありますか？ (What do you do in your daily diet to prevent malnutrition?)"

"戦後の日本で栄養失調が多かった理由を知っていますか？ (Do you know why malnutrition was common in post-war Japan?)"

"一人暮らしをしていると、栄養失調になりやすいと思いますか？ (Do you think it's easy to become malnourished when living alone?)"

Journal Prompts

もし自分が栄養失調になったら、どんな生活の変化があると思いますか？ (What lifestyle changes do you think would occur if you became malnourished?)

世界中の栄養失調をなくすために、私たちにできることは何でしょうか？ (What can we do to eliminate malnutrition worldwide?)

現代の日本で「栄養失調」が問題になっている理由を考察してください。 (Discuss the reasons why 'malnutrition' is a problem in modern Japan.)

あなたが考える「最高の栄養バランス」とは何ですか？ (What do you consider to be the 'best nutritional balance'?)

栄養失調と貧困の関係について、あなたの意見を書いてください。 (Write your opinion on the relationship between malnutrition and poverty.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, that would be very strange and dramatic. If you are hungry, say 'Onaka ga suita.' 栄養失調 implies a serious medical condition where your body is failing due to lack of nutrients over a long period.

It refers to 'Modern-type Malnutrition.' It's a condition where people eat enough calories (often from processed foods) but lack essential vitamins, minerals, and protein. It's a common topic in Japanese health media today.

You say 'Kare wa eiyō shitchō de nakunatta' (彼は栄養失調で亡くなった). Use the particle 'de' to indicate the cause of death.

Usually, no. For plants, Japanese people use 'hiryō busoku' (lack of fertilizer) or 'eiyō busoku' (lack of nutrition). 栄養失調 is reserved for humans and animals.

No. The 'Ei' in Eiga (映画) means 'reflection/projection.' The 'Ei' in Eiyō (栄養) means 'prosperity/glory.' They look different: 映 vs 栄.

Yes, it frequently appears in N2 and N1 reading and listening sections, usually in texts about social issues, history, or health.

Yes, but it's literary. You might see 'kokoro no eiyō shitchō' (malnutrition of the heart) to describe someone lacking love or emotional enrichment.

栄養不足 (Eiyō busoku) is 'insufficient nutrition' (the cause). 栄養失調 (Eiyō shitchō) is 'malnutrition' (the resulting medical state). You might have eiyō busoku for a week, but eiyō shitchō is more chronic and severe.

In clinical settings, it's treated with 'eiyō kanri' (nutritional management), which includes balanced meals, supplements, or IV drips (ten-teki) in severe cases.

Yes, it means 'a malnourished person.' It is grammatically correct, though you should be mindful of the context as it is a serious descriptor.