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A1 noun #3,250 most common 7 min read

看護

kango Top 3,250

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 看護 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 看護 in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners should recognize '看護' (kango) as a word related to hospitals and doctors. You might encounter it in basic introductions like 'My sister is a nurse' (Ane wa kangoshi desu). At this stage, you don't need to worry about the complex kanji, but you should understand that 'kango' means looking after someone who is sick. It is a 'helper' word. When you see a person in a white or blue uniform in a hospital, the word 'kango' describes what they do. You can think of it as 'hospital care.' Simple phrases like 'kango no hito' (nursing person) might be used by beginners before they learn the specific word for nurse. The focus is on the basic association: Sick + Help + Hospital = Kango.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'kango' as a noun and a 'suru' verb. You can describe simple situations: 'Kanojo wa byouin de kango shite imasu' (She is nursing at the hospital). You start to distinguish between 'kango' and 'sewa' (general care). You also learn the word for the professional: 'kangoshi.' You might use 'kango' to talk about family responsibilities, such as when a parent is ill. You understand that this word implies a bit more seriousness than just 'helping.' It involves medicine, rest, and recovery. You can also recognize compound words like 'kango-shitsu' (nurse's office) in a school context, which is a very practical word for students.

At the B1 level, you can handle more specific medical contexts. You understand that 'kango' is a professional field of study ('kango-gaku'). You can discuss the quality of care: 'teinei na kango' (polite/thorough nursing). You begin to see 'kango' in news articles or health-related brochures. You can explain the difference between 'kango' and 'kaigo' (caregiving for the elderly) using simple Japanese. You are comfortable using 'kango' in the passive voice, such as 'kango sareru' (to be nursed). You also start to use it in the context of 'homon kango' (home-visit nursing), reflecting an awareness of social services in Japan. Your sentences become more complex, connecting 'kango' to results like 'thanks to nursing, the patient got better.'

At the B2 level, you understand the nuances of 'kango' in professional and ethical discussions. You can talk about 'kango no rinen' (the philosophy of nursing) or 'kango no shitsu' (the quality of nursing care). You can read newspaper articles about the 'kangoshi busoku' (nurse shortage) and understand the societal implications. You use the word with academic collocations like 'kango-taisei' (nursing system) or 'rinshou kango' (clinical nursing). You can participate in a debate about healthcare, using 'kango' to describe the labor-intensive part of medical recovery. You also recognize the historical transition of the term and the importance of gender-neutral language in the profession. Your vocabulary includes related terms like 'kango-kiroku' (nursing records).

At the C1 level, 'kango' is a word you use to discuss policy, specialized medical fields, and complex human emotions. You can analyze the role of 'kango' in palliative care (mit取りの看護 - mitori no kango) and the psychological support nurses provide to families. You understand the legal framework surrounding the 'Kango-shi Hou' (Nurses Act). You can read medical journals that discuss 'kango-gaku' as a scientific discipline involving data and research. You are sensitive to the register of the word, knowing exactly when to use 'kango' versus 'kanbyou' to convey a specific level of professional distance or personal intimacy. You can discuss the evolution of nursing education in Japan from vocational schools to four-year universities.

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of 'kango' and its place in the Japanese psyche. You can appreciate the literary use of 'kango' as a metaphor for devotion and sacrifice. You can engage in high-level academic or professional discourse about the future of 'kango' in the age of AI and robotics (robot kango). You understand the subtle differences between 'kango' and other specialized forms of care like 'yogo' or 'fuyo' in legal and social welfare contexts. You can interpret the philosophical underpinnings of 'kango' as a form of 'omotenashi' (hospitality) in the medical field. Your use of the word is flawless, whether you are writing a policy proposal, a medical thesis, or a nuanced piece of fiction.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

看護 in 30 Seconds

Professional or domestic nursing care for the sick.
A 'suru' verb (kango suru) meaning 'to nurse'.
Derived from kanji meaning 'to watch' and 'to protect'.
Distinct from 'kaigo' (general caregiving for elderly).

The Japanese word 看護 (kango) is a profound term that encapsulates the essence of medical care, empathy, and protection. At its core, it is a noun that refers to the act of nursing or tending to the sick. However, its linguistic roots offer a deeper glimpse into the Japanese philosophy of care. The first character, 看 (kan), means 'to watch,' 'to see,' or 'to look after.' It is composed of the radical for 'hand' over the radical for 'eye,' suggesting the image of someone shading their eyes with their hand to look intently at something in the distance or with great focus. The second character, 護 (go), means 'to protect,' 'to safeguard,' or 'to defend.' Together, 看護 represents the dual responsibility of vigilantly monitoring a patient's condition while actively protecting their well-being.

Professional Context: In a professional setting, kango refers to the duties performed by a licensed nurse (看護師, kangoshi). This includes administering medication, monitoring vital signs, and assisting doctors during procedures.
Domestic Context: It is also used when a family member takes care of a sick relative at home. While 'kaigo' (caregiving) is often used for the elderly, 'kango' specifically implies medical-related care for illness or injury.

彼女は病気の母の看護に専念している。
(She is devoting herself to nursing her sick mother.)

Historically, the term has evolved alongside Japan's medical system. Before the Meiji Restoration, care was often informal and rooted in traditional medicine. With the introduction of Western medicine, the role of the 'nurse' became formalized, and kango became the standard term for the profession. Today, it is a word associated with high respect, reflecting the dedication required to support patients through their most vulnerable moments. It is not merely a job description but a commitment to the preservation of life and dignity.

Nuance of Watchfulness: The 'kan' in kango implies a level of observation that anticipates needs before the patient even speaks, a hallmark of high-quality Japanese medical service.

徹底した看護のおかげで、彼は回復した。
(Thanks to thorough nursing, he recovered.)

Using 看護 (kango) correctly requires understanding its grammatical role as a Sino-Japanese noun (kango-meishi). It frequently appears in compound words or as a 'suru' verb. When used as a noun, it often functions as the object of a sentence or as part of a larger noun phrase describing medical facilities or roles.

As a Direct Object: You will often see 'kango' followed by the particle 'wo' and a verb like 'ukeru' (to receive) or 'tsuzukeru' (to continue). For example, 'kango wo ukeru' means to receive nursing care.

患者は24時間の看護を必要としている。
(The patient requires 24-hour nursing.)

When transforming kango into a verb, 'kango suru' is used to describe the action of looking after someone. This is common in both formal medical reports and daily conversation. It is important to note that 'kango suru' focuses on the medical and physical support aspect, whereas 'sewa wo suru' might be used for more general care like cooking or cleaning for someone who is healthy but busy.

Compound Formations: 'Kango-shi' (nurse), 'Kango-gaku' (nursing science), and 'Kango-shitsu' (infirmary/nurse's office) are essential vocabulary for anyone navigating a Japanese hospital or school.

彼は大学で看護学を学んでいる。
(He is studying nursing science at university.)

In more advanced usage, you might encounter 'homon kango' (home-visit nursing). This is a critical term in Japanese social policy, referring to nurses who visit the homes of the elderly or bedridden. Using this term correctly shows an understanding of Japan's specific healthcare challenges. Remember that kango implies a level of professional skill, even if the person doing it isn't a professional nurse; it suggests they are providing 'medical-level' care.

You will encounter 看護 (kango) in a variety of real-world settings across Japan. Its most common home is, naturally, the hospital (病院, byouin) or clinic (診療所, shinryoujo). If you are a patient, you will hear staff discussing 'kango keikaku' (nursing plans) or 'kango kiroku' (nursing records). It is a word that rings with clinical precision and professional duty.

In the Media: Japanese television is famous for its medical dramas, such as 'Nurse no Oshigoto' or 'Doctor-X.' In these shows, characters often discuss the 'kango taisei' (nursing system) or the hardships of 'kango no genba' (the nursing front lines).

ニュース：看護師不足が深刻な問題となっています。
(News: The shortage of nurses has become a serious problem.)

In educational settings, particularly in elementary and middle schools, the 'nurse's office' is called the 'hoken-shitsu,' but the person there is often referred to in the context of 'kango' if a student is injured. University students will see 'Kango-gakubu' (Faculty of Nursing) on campus maps. In news broadcasts, kango is a frequent keyword when discussing Japan's aging population (shoushi kouryuuka). You will hear about 'zaitaku kango' (home nursing) as the government pushes for more care to happen outside of hospitals.

Literature and Art: In literature, 'kango' is often used to depict scenes of devotion. A character might spend the whole night 'kango suru' at the bedside of a dying loved one, emphasizing the emotional weight of the term.

夜通しの看護で、彼女は疲れ果てていた。
(She was exhausted from nursing through the night.)

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing 看護 (kango) with 介護 (kaigo). While both involve taking care of people, they are distinct in the Japanese healthcare system. Kango is medical nursing—dealing with wounds, illnesses, and medical recovery. Kaigo is caregiving—assisting with daily living activities like bathing, eating, and walking, primarily for the elderly or disabled.

Kango vs. Kaigo: If you say 'kaigo' when a nurse is giving an injection, it's incorrect. Similarly, calling a professional nurse a 'kaigo-shi' (caregiver) would be a demotion of their medical qualifications.

❌ 祖父の病気を介護する。
✅ 祖父の病気を看護する。
(Use 'kango' for the medical aspect of the illness.)

Another mistake is using kango for simple 'looking after' things that aren't people. You cannot 'kango' a plant or a broken computer. For those, you would use 'sewa' (care) or 'shuri' (repair). Kango is strictly for living beings (usually humans, though 'doubutsu kango' for animals exists) in a state of ill health.

Learners also sometimes forget that kango is a formal word. In a very casual setting, if you are just helping a friend who has a cold, saying 'kango suru' might sound a bit overly dramatic or clinical. In such cases, 'kanbyou' (looking after a sick person) is a more natural, slightly less formal alternative that still implies care during illness.

Pronunciation Pitfall: Ensure the 'n' sound in 'ka-n-go' is distinct. If you shorten it too much, it might sound like 'kago' (basket), leading to confusion in verbal communication.

To truly master 看護 (kango), you must understand its neighbors in the semantic field of 'care.' Japanese has many words for looking after others, each with a specific nuance based on the recipient's condition and the type of help provided.

看護 (Kango) vs. 介護 (Kaigo): Kango: Focuses on medical treatment, monitoring health, and recovery from illness. (Professional: Nurse).
Kaigo: Focuses on long-term support for daily life (eating, bathing) for those with permanent disabilities or age-related decline. (Professional: Care worker).
看護 (Kango) vs. 看病 (Kanbyou): Kango: More formal and professional. Used in hospital contexts or serious medical situations.
Kanbyou: More personal and casual. Used when a parent looks after a child with a fever or a spouse helps a partner with the flu.

Comparison:
病院での看護 (Nursing in a hospital - Professional)
家での看病 (Nursing at home - Personal)

Other alternatives include 介抱 (kaihou), which refers to immediate, temporary care given to someone who has suddenly become ill or injured (like someone fainting or getting drunk). There is also 世話 (sewa), a very broad term for taking care of anyone or anything, from a baby to a pet to a guest. Finally, 養護 (yougo) is used in the context of 'protective care,' often for children in special schools or orphanages.

Register and Choice: In medical journals, only 'kango' is used. In a diary, you might prefer 'kanbyou' or 'sewa' depending on the severity of the illness.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character 'kan' (看) shows a hand (手) over an eye (目). This represents the act of looking into the distance or focusing carefully, which is the perfect metaphor for a nurse monitoring a patient.

Pronunciation Guide

UK kɑːŋɡoʊ

US kɑŋɡoʊ

Flat (Heiban) accent in Japanese: ka-n-go (all syllables roughly equal pitch).

Rhymes With

Dango (dumpling) Sango (coral) Ringo (apple) Kongo (Congo/now) Zengo (before and after) Hongo (a place in Tokyo) Shingo (signal) Bingo (Bingo)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'go' with a heavy 'u' sound at the end (kango-u).
Missing the moraic 'n' sound, making it sound like 'kago'.
Stressing the first syllable too hard.
Using an English 'r' sound instead of the Japanese 'n'.
Confusing it with 'kango' (Sino-Japanese words) which has a different pitch.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji are somewhat complex (JLPT N2 level), but the word is very common.

Writing 4/5

Writing '護' (go) requires many strokes and precision.

Speaking 1/5

The pronunciation is simple and flat.

Listening 2/5

Easily recognized in context, though can be confused with other 'kango' homophones.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

病院 (Hospital) 病気 (Sickness) 先生 (Teacher/Doctor) 世話 (Care) 助ける (Help)

Learn Next

介護 (Caregiving) 治療 (Treatment) 診断 (Diagnosis) 処方箋 (Prescription) 入院 (Hospitalization)

Advanced

緩和ケア (Palliative care) インフォームド・コンセント (Informed consent) バイタルサイン (Vital signs) トリアージ (Triage) 臨床 (Clinical)

Grammar to Know

Suru-verbs

看護する (To nurse)

Noun + No + Noun

看護の仕事 (Nursing work)

Passive Voice

看護される (To be nursed)

Causative Voice

看護させる (To make someone nurse)

Compound Kanji Nouns

看護師 (Nurse - person who does nursing)

Examples by Level

姉は看護師です。

My older sister is a nurse.

Uses the noun 'kangoshi' (nurse) derived from 'kango'.

母が看護をしてくれました。

My mother nursed me.

Noun 'kango' + 'wo shite kureta' (did for me).

ここは看護室ですか？

Is this the nurse's office?

Compound noun 'kango-shitsu'.

看護は大変な仕事です。

Nursing is a hard job.

Noun 'kango' as the subject.

病気の人を看護します。

I nurse sick people.

Verb form 'kango shimasu'.

優しい看護を受けました。

I received kind nursing care.

Adjective 'yasashii' modifying 'kango'.

父の看護に行きます。

I'm going to nurse my father.

Noun 'kango' + 'ni ikimasu' (go to do).

看護の本を読みます。

I read a book about nursing.

Noun 'kango' modifying 'hon' (book).

彼女は毎日、祖父を看護しています。

She nurses her grandfather every day.

Continuous verb form 'kango shite imasu'.

看護師になりたいです。

I want to become a nurse.

Noun 'kangoshi' + 'ni naritai' (want to become).

病院で看護の仕方を習いました。

I learned how to nurse at the hospital.

'Kango no shikata' (way of nursing).

夜も看護が必要です。

Nursing is necessary at night too.

Noun 'kango' + 'ga hitsuyou' (is necessary).

看護のおかげで元気になりました。

Thanks to the nursing, I got well.

'Kango no okage de' (thanks to...).

弟を看護するために休みました。

I took a day off to nurse my younger brother.

'Kango suru tame ni' (in order to nurse).

看護の仕事はやりがいがあります。

Nursing work is rewarding.

'Kango no shigoto' (nursing work).

誰が彼を看護するのですか？

Who is going to nurse him?

Interrogative 'dare ga' with verb 'kango suru'.

この病院の看護体制は非常に整っています。

The nursing system in this hospital is very well-organized.

Compound 'kango taisei' (nursing system).

彼は大学で看護学を専攻しています。

He is majoring in nursing science at university.

Academic term 'kango-gaku'.

訪問看護のサービスを利用することにしました。

We decided to use a home-visit nursing service.

'Homon kango' (home-visit nursing).

看護記録を正確に書かなければなりません。

Nursing records must be written accurately.

'Kango kiroku' (nursing records).

彼女は看護の専門家として認められています。

She is recognized as an expert in nursing.

'Kango no senmonka' (nursing expert).

患者の心理的な看護も重要です。

Psychological nursing of the patient is also important.

Adjective 'shinri-teki na' (psychological).

看護の現場は常に忙しいです。

The nursing front lines are always busy.

'Kango no genba' (the actual place/front lines of nursing).

適切な看護がなければ、回復は遅れるでしょう。

Without proper nursing, recovery will likely be delayed.

'Tekisetsu na kango' (appropriate nursing).

看護職の倫理観について議論が行われた。

A discussion was held regarding the ethics of the nursing profession.

'Kango-shoku' (nursing profession) and 'rinrikan' (ethics).

地域社会における看護の役割が拡大しています。

The role of nursing in the local community is expanding.

Abstract concept of 'role' (yakuwari).

高度な看護技術を習得するための研修に参加する。

Participate in training to acquire advanced nursing techniques.

'Koudo na kango gijutsu' (advanced nursing techniques).

看護師の負担を軽減するための対策が必要です。

Measures are needed to reduce the burden on nurses.

'Kangoshi no futan' (burden on nurses).

彼女は災害看護のボランティアとして活動している。

She is active as a disaster nursing volunteer.

'Saigai kango' (disaster nursing).

看護計画に基づいたケアを提供することが求められる。

Providing care based on a nursing plan is required.

'Kango keikaku ni motozuita' (based on a nursing plan).

看護の質を向上させるために、データ分析を行う。

Perform data analysis to improve the quality of nursing.

'Kango no shitsu' (quality of nursing).

緩和ケアにおける看護の重要性は高まっている。

The importance of nursing in palliative care is growing.

'Kanwa kea' (palliative care).

看護学のパラダイムシフトが、臨床現場に影響を与えている。

A paradigm shift in nursing science is influencing clinical settings.

Academic term 'paradigm shift'.

多職種連携における看護師のコーディネート能力が鍵となる。

The coordination ability of nurses in multi-disciplinary collaboration is key.

'Ta-shokushu renkei' (multi-disciplinary collaboration).

看護介入が患者のアウトカムに与える影響を調査する。

Investigate the impact of nursing interventions on patient outcomes.

'Kango kainyuu' (nursing intervention).

終末期看護における意思決定支援の在り方を模索する。

Explore the nature of decision-making support in end-of-life nursing.

'Shuumatsuki kango' (end-of-life nursing).

看護管理職には、スタッフのメンタルヘルスを守る責務がある。

Nursing management has a duty to protect the mental health of staff.

'Kango kanrishoku' (nursing management).

看護教育のカリキュラム改革が急務となっている。

Reforming the nursing education curriculum is an urgent matter.

'Kango kyouiku' (nursing education).

エビデンスに基づいた看護（EBN）の実践が推奨されている。

The practice of Evidence-Based Nursing (EBN) is recommended.

Professional acronym 'EBN'.

看護の自律性を確立することは、専門職としての発展に不可欠だ。

Establishing nursing autonomy is essential for professional development.

'Kango no jiritsusei' (nursing autonomy).

看護の本質は、生命の尊厳を護持する哲学的行為に他ならない。

The essence of nursing is nothing less than a philosophical act of upholding the dignity of life.

Highly formal/philosophical phrasing.

超高齢社会において、看護はキュアからケアへの転換を象徴している。

In a super-aging society, nursing symbolizes the shift from 'cure' to 'care'.

Comparison of 'cure' and 'care'.

看護労働の再生産とジェンダーバイアスの問題は不可分である。

The issues of nursing labor reproduction and gender bias are inseparable.

Sociological terminology.

看護のメタ理論を構築する試みが、学術界で活発化している。

Attempts to construct meta-theories of nursing are intensifying in the academic world.

'Meta-riron' (meta-theory).

遠隔看護（テレナーシング）の普及が、医療格差の是正に寄与する。

The spread of telenursing contributes to the correction of healthcare disparities.

'Enkaku kango' (remote nursing).

看護実践における現象学的アプローチは、患者の生世界を照らし出す。

A phenomenological approach in nursing practice illuminates the life-world of the patient.

Phenomenological terminology.

看護政策の提言には、マクロな視点とミクロな倫理の統合が求められる。

Proposals for nursing policy require the integration of a macro perspective and micro ethics.

Policy-level discourse.

看護のアイデンティティは、科学性と芸術性の止揚（アウフヘーベン）にある。

The identity of nursing lies in the sublation (Aufheben) of science and art.

Hegelian philosophical term 'Aufheben'.

Synonyms

看病介抱介護ケア扶助

Antonyms

放置放任

Common Collocations

看護師

看護学

訪問看護

看護記録

看護体制

看護計画

精神看護

災害看護

看護助手

認定看護師

Common Phrases

看護にあたる

— To be engaged in nursing; to take charge of nursing someone.

医師と看護師が交代で看護にあたった。

手厚い看護

— Generous, devoted, or thorough nursing care.

手厚い看護のおかげで、一命を取り留めた。

24時間看護

— Around-the-clock nursing care.

重症患者には24時間看護が必要だ。

在宅看護

— Nursing care provided at home rather than in a hospital.

在宅看護の需要が増えている。

看護の質

— The quality of nursing care provided.

看護の質を向上させるための教育。

看護の現場

— The actual location or 'front lines' where nursing takes place.

看護の現場は人手不足だ。

看護実習

— Nursing practice or clinical training for students.

来月から看護実習が始まる。

看護倫理

— Nursing ethics; the moral principles of the profession.

看護倫理を遵守する。

看護理論

— Nursing theory; the conceptual frameworks of the field.

有名な看護理論を学ぶ。

看護休暇

— Nursing leave; time off from work to care for a sick family member.

子供の病気で看護休暇を取る。

Often Confused With

看護 vs 介護 (kaigo)

Kaigo is for daily life assistance (elderly), Kango is for medical care (sick).

看護 vs 看病 (kanbyou)

Kanbyou is informal/home care, Kango is formal/professional care.

看護 vs 漢語 (kango)

Same pronunciation, but means 'Sino-Japanese words'.

Idioms & Expressions

"白衣の天使"

— An angel in white; a popular idiom referring to a kind and dedicated nurse.

彼女はまさに白衣の天使だ。

Cliché/Literary

"献身的な看護"

— Self-sacrificing or devoted nursing.

家族の献身的な看護が実を結んだ。

Formal

"看護の目を光らせる"

— To keep a very watchful eye on a patient's condition (metaphorical).

看護師は一晩中、看護の目を光らせていた。

Descriptive

"看護の手に委ねる"

— To entrust someone to the care of nurses.

後はプロの看護の手に委ねるしかない。

Formal

"看護の甲斐あって"

— The nursing was worth it (because the patient recovered).

看護の甲斐あって、病状が安定した。

Common

"看護に身を投じる"

— To throw oneself into nursing; to dedicate one's life to the profession.

彼女は若くして看護に身を投じた。

Literary

"看護の道"

— The path/career of nursing.

彼は看護の道を志している。

Inspirational

"看護の手を休める"

— To take a break from nursing (often implying one has been working non-stop).

一瞬たりとも看護の手を休めることはできない。

Dramatic

"看護の心"

— The spirit or 'heart' of nursing (empathy/compassion).

看護の心を忘れてはいけない。

Ethical

"看護の網を広げる"

— To broaden the scope of nursing care (metaphorical).

地域全体に看護の網を広げる取り組み。

Policy

Easily Confused

看護 vs 介護 (kaigo)

Both involve 'care'.

Kango involves medical knowledge and treatment of an illness. Kaigo involves helping someone with disabilities or old age perform daily tasks like eating or bathing. They are separate certifications in Japan.

病院での看護 (Hospital nursing) vs 老人ホームでの介護 (Elderly care at a home).

看護 vs 看病 (kanbyou)

Both mean 'nursing the sick'.

Kanbyou is used for casual, non-professional care, usually by family for minor illnesses. Kango is used for professional nursing or serious medical care. You wouldn't say 'kangoshi ga kanbyou suru'.

風邪の子供を看病する (Nursing a child with a cold).

看護 vs 介抱 (kaihou)

Both involve helping someone who is unwell.

Kaihou is immediate, temporary help for someone who suddenly became incapacitated (fainted, drunk, injured). Kango is the ongoing process of medical care.

酔っ払いを介抱する (Tending to a drunk person).

看護 vs 世話 (sewa)

A very broad term for 'care'.

Sewa can be used for anything (plants, pets, guests). Kango is specific to health and medical recovery. 'Sewa' is much more informal.

赤ちゃんの世話 (Taking care of a baby).

看護 vs 養護 (yougo)

Both have the 'go' (protect) character.

Yougo is specifically 'protective care' or 'foster care', often in institutional settings like special schools (yougo gakkou). It is not focused on medical treatment.

養護施設 (A foster home/care facility).

Sentence Patterns

[Person] は看護師です。

田中さんは看護師です。

[Person] を看護します。

母を看護します。

[Noun] の看護を受ける。

プロの看護を受ける。

看護の [Noun] が重要だ。

看護の質が重要だ。

看護における [Noun] の役割。

看護における倫理の役割。

看護を [Concept] と捉える。

看護を芸術と捉える。

看護のおかげで [Result]。

看護のおかげで治りました。

看護に専念する。

Word Family

Nouns

看護師 (kangoshi - nurse)

看護学 (kango-gaku - nursing science)

看護法 (kango-hou - nursing method/law)

看護部 (kango-bu - nursing department)

Verbs

看護する (kango suru - to nurse)

Adjectives

看護的な (kango-teki na - nursing-like/related to nursing)

看病 (kanbyou - home nursing)

介護 (kaigo - caregiving)

介抱 (kaihou - tending to)

医療 (iryou - medical care)

保健 (hoken - health preservation)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in medical, educational, and news contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 'kango' for breastfeeding. → 授乳 (juyu)
In English, 'nursing' can mean breastfeeding, but in Japanese, 'kango' is strictly medical care. Using it for breastfeeding would be very confusing.
Confusing 'kango' with 'kaigo' in a hospital. → 看護 (kango)
If you are talking about the medical staff in a hospital, use 'kango'. 'Kaigo' is for care workers in nursing homes.
Using 'kangofu' for a male nurse. → 看護師 (kangoshi)
'Kangofu' specifically means a female nurse. 'Kangoshi' is the correct, gender-neutral term for both men and women.
Saying 'kango' for taking care of a pet's food. → 世話 (sewa)
'Kango' implies medical care. If the pet is healthy, just use 'sewa'. Only use 'kango' if the pet is sick and needs medical attention.
Pronouncing it as 'kago'. → 看護 (kango)
The 'n' (ん) sound is a full beat in Japanese. If you skip it, you are saying 'basket' (kago) instead of 'nursing'.

Tips

Use it as a 'suru' verb

Don't forget that 'kango' is a noun that needs 'suru' to become a verb. 'Kanojo wa kango suru' (She nurses).

Learn the professional suffix

Adding 'shi' (師) to 'kango' creates 'kangoshi' (nurse), which is a key vocabulary word for hospitals.

Distinguish from 'kaigo'

Remember: Kango = Medical. Kaigo = Daily life support. This is the most important distinction in Japanese healthcare.

The 'Hand over Eye' trick

To remember 'kan' (看), think of a hand over an eye watching a patient carefully. It helps with both meaning and writing.

Home vs. Hospital

In a hospital, always use 'kango'. At home, use 'kanbyou' for small things and 'kango' for serious medical issues.

Gender Neutrality

Always use 'kangoshi' in professional settings to be polite and modern. 'Kangofu' is considered outdated.

Listen for 'homon'

If you hear 'homon kango', it's about a nurse visiting a home. This is a very common topic in Japanese news.

Stroke Order

The character '護' has 20 strokes. Learn the correct order to make it look balanced and professional.

The 'Guard' association

The 'go' in 'kango' is the same as in 'gogo' (protection/defense). Think of a nurse as a health guard.

Flat Tone

Avoid putting an accent on 'kan'. Keep the pitch level throughout the word for a natural sound.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'CAN' (kan) of soup you give to someone to 'GO' (go) protect their health. You are doing 'kango'.

Visual Association

Visualize a hand shading an eye (看) while standing guard (護) over a hospital bed.

Word Web

Hospital Nurse Medicine Care Protection Watchful Recovery Health

Challenge

Try to use 'kango' in a sentence today to describe any time you helped someone feel better, even if it was just giving them a glass of water.

Word Origin

The word 'kango' is a kango (Sino-Japanese) term. It was adapted from Chinese characters during a period when Japan was formalizing its medical terminology, likely gaining its modern professional meaning during the Meiji era as Western medical systems were adopted.

Original meaning: To watch over and protect/defend.

Sino-Japanese (Kanji-based)

Cultural Context

Always use 'kangoshi' instead of 'kangofu' to avoid gender bias, as 'fu' specifically implies a woman.

In English, 'nursing' can also mean breastfeeding, but in Japanese, 'kango' never refers to breastfeeding (which is 'juyu').

Florence Nightingale (often called 'Kango no Haha' or Mother of Nursing in Japan). The TV drama 'Nurse no Oshigoto'. The manga/anime 'Black Jack' often features 'kango' themes.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a hospital

看護師さんを呼んでください。
看護記録を見せてください。
24時間の看護体制です。
看護師ステーションはどこですか？

At home

家で父を看護しています。
訪問看護をお願いしたいです。
看病で疲れました。
看護のやり方を教えてください。

At school

看護室に行ってきます。
保健室の先生（看護師）に相談して。
怪我の手当てをしてもらった。
看護学部に進学したい。

In the news

看護師不足が深刻です。
新しい看護法が施行された。
災害看護の重要性。
看護職の処遇改善。

In a job interview

看護の経験があります。
質の高い看護を目指しています。
チーム医療における看護の役割。
看護師免許を持っています。

Conversation Starters

"看護師の仕事についてどう思いますか？ (What do you think about nursing work?)"

"家族を看護した経験はありますか？ (Have you ever had experience nursing a family member?)"

"看護学を勉強するのは難しいでしょうか？ (Is it difficult to study nursing science?)"

"日本の看護体制について知っていますか？ (Do you know about the nursing system in Japan?)"

"将来、看護師になりたいと思ったことはありますか？ (Have you ever thought about becoming a nurse in the future?)"

Journal Prompts

もし自分が看護師だったら、どんな風に患者さんに接したいですか？ (If you were a nurse, how would you want to treat your patients?)

最近、誰かを看護したり、看病したりしたことがありますか？ (Have you recently nursed or looked after someone?)

看護師不足という問題に対して、どのような解決策があると思いますか？ (What solutions do you think there are for the problem of nurse shortages?)

病院での看護と、家での看護の違いは何だと思いますか？ (What do you think are the differences between nursing in a hospital and at home?)

『白衣の天使』という言葉について、どう感じますか？ (How do you feel about the phrase 'Angel in White'?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, while it is the professional term, it can also be used for family members providing serious medical-style care at home. However, for minor things like a cold, 'kanbyou' is more common.

'Kangofu' was the traditional term for a female nurse. In 2002, Japan officially changed the term to 'kangoshi' to be gender-neutral and inclusive of male nurses.

Yes, you can use 'doubutsu kango' (animal nursing) or 'pet no kango'. The principles are the same: medical care for the sick.

Yes, especially because Japan has an aging population, discussions about 'kango' and 'kaigo' are very frequent in the news and daily conversation.

It is 'kango gakkou' (看護学校). If it's a university department, it's 'kango gakubu' (看護学部).

No. Breastfeeding is 'juyu' (授乳). This is a common point of confusion for English speakers because 'nursing' can mean both in English.

It means 'home-visit nursing'. A nurse comes to your house to provide medical care, which is common for elderly patients in Japan.

It is written as 看護. The first character means to watch, and the second means to protect.

Yes, it is a relatively formal Sino-Japanese word. In casual conversation about a small illness, 'kanbyou' is often preferred.

It is the 'Nurse Station' in a hospital, the central area where nurses work and keep records.