既往歴

§ What is 既往歴?

Japanese Word

既往歴 (きおうれき)

Definition

Past medical history.

CEFR Level

B1

When you go to a doctor in Japan, one of the first things they'll ask you about is your 既往歴. This word directly translates to "past medical history." It's a formal and important term in medical settings. Knowing this word can help you understand medical forms, doctor's questions, and even news reports about health.

§ In a Doctor's Office or Hospital

This is where you'll most frequently encounter 既往歴. When you fill out a new patient registration form (診察申込書 - しんさつもうしこみしょ) or a medical questionnaire (問診票 - もんしんひょう), there will almost certainly be a section asking about your 既往歴. The doctor will also ask you directly.

• Filling out forms: You'll see prompts like「既往歴をご記入ください。」(きおうれきをごきにゅうください。) or「既往歴はありますか？」(きおうれきはありますか？)

• Doctor's questions: A doctor might ask,「これまでに大きな病気をされた既往歴はありますか？」(これまでにおおきなびょうきをされたきおうれきはありますか？)

§ In Medical News and Articles

You'll also find 既往歴 used in formal medical contexts like news reports, academic papers, and health-related articles. When discussing patient demographics or risk factors for diseases, this term is essential.

• Research findings: An article might state,「この病気は、特定の既往歴がある人に多く見られます。」(このびょうきは、とくていのきおうれきがあるひとにおおくみられます。)

• Public health announcements: You might hear,「持病や既往歴のある方は、特に注意が必要です。」(じびょうやきおうれきのあるかたは、とくにちゅういがひつようです。)

§ In Insurance and Legal Documents

Insurance applications (保険の申込書 - ほけんのもうしこみしょ) will also ask for your 既往歴 to assess risk. In legal cases involving health or injury, a person's 既往歴 can be a critical piece of information.

• Insurance applications: You'll see questions like「既往歴について正確にご申告ください。」(きおうれきについてせいかくにごしんこくください。)

• Legal reports: A report might state,「被告の既往歴を考慮し、判決が下された。」(ひこくのきおうれきをこうりょし、はんけつがくだされた。)

As you can see, 既往歴 is a very practical and important word to know if you live in or plan to visit Japan, especially if you need to interact with the medical system. Pay attention to it in forms and conversations!

§ What is 既往歴?

Japanese Word

既往歴 (きおうれき - kibou-reki)

Definition

Past medical history.

Part of Speech

Noun

CEFR Level

B1

When you go to a hospital or clinic in Japan, especially for the first time, you'll often be asked about your health. Knowing how to talk about your past medical history is super important. That's where 既往歴 comes in.

§ How to use 既往歴

You'll typically use 既往歴 when filling out medical forms or speaking with a doctor. It refers to any illnesses, surgeries, or significant health conditions you've had in the past.

• Your past medical history, please tell me about it.

• Please fill in your past medical history on the medical questionnaire.

§ Similar words and when to use 既往歴 vs alternatives

While 既往歴 specifically means 'past medical history,' there are other related terms you might encounter or use in a medical context.

病歴 (byou-reki)

This also means 'medical history' or 'case history.' It's a bit broader than 既往歴. While 既往歴 focuses on past illnesses you've recovered from or manage, 病歴 can encompass your entire health record, including ongoing conditions or even a family history of illness. In many cases, they can be used interchangeably, but 既往歴 is more precise when referring *only* to past conditions.

• To check the patient's detailed medical history.

カルテ (karute)

This is a loanword from German (Karte) and refers to a 'patient's chart' or 'medical record.' It's the physical or digital document where all medical information, including 既往歴 and present conditions, is recorded. You wouldn't use this to refer to your personal past history, but rather the official record kept by the clinic.

• The doctor is looking at my medical chart.

診察券 (shin-satsu-ken)

This is your 'patient registration card.' It's not about your history, but it's essential for accessing your medical records at a specific clinic. You'll hand this over every time you visit.

• Since it's my first time, please make a patient registration card for me first.

In summary, use 既往歴 when you need to specifically state your 'past medical history' in a formal medical context. For general 'medical history,' 病歴 is acceptable, and カルテ refers to the 'medical record' document itself. 診察券 is just your patient card. Keeping these distinctions clear will help you navigate Japanese medical situations more smoothly.