24 Essential Japanese Words for Common Ailments (Headache, Stomachache)

Feeling under the weather or dealing with a pesky headache abroad? Knowing the right words in Japanese can make all the difference when explaining how you feel or asking for help.

Whether you’re traveling, studying, or just curious, having a handy list of essential Japanese words for common ailments can ease your stress. It’s about feeling confident and understood, even when you don’t feel your best.

From headaches and stomachaches to colds and allergies, these words will help you communicate clearly. You’ll sound more natural and polite, which is always appreciated in Japanese culture.

Learning these terms not only helps in emergencies but also shows respect and effort, which can open doors to kindness from locals. Plus, it’s a fun way to expand your vocabulary with practical, everyday words.

Understanding these simple words means you can get what you need faster—medicine, advice, or just sympathy. It’s a small step that can make your experience smoother and safer.

Ready to get started? Let’s dive into 24 essential Japanese words for common ailments that you’ll want in your language toolkit.

Why These Words Matter

Knowing the right words can be a lifesaver.

When you’re feeling sick in Japan, being able to explain your symptoms helps you get support quickly. It also makes visits to the pharmacy or doctor less intimidating.

Plus, learning these words connects you better to the culture and people around you.

Sometimes, using a great beginner phrasebook can give you a perfect starting point for a cohesive understanding.

These words are simple but powerful tools in your daily Japanese conversations.

With a bit of practice, you’ll feel more secure asking for help or advice whenever needed.

Part 1: Casual Suggestions

1. 頭痛 (Zutsū) – Headache

This word means “headache” in Japanese.

It’s pronounced “zutsū” (zoo-tsoo). Just remember “zu” sounds like “zoo,” and “tsū” sounds like “tsoo.”

Using this word helps you clearly say you have a headache.

Simple and straightforward, it’s a must-know symptom word.

For example, you can say: 頭痛があります (Zutsū ga arimasu) — “I have a headache.”

Once you master this, you can describe pain to get the right help faster.

2. お腹が痛い (Onaka ga itai) – Stomachache

This phrase means “my stomach hurts.”

Pronounced “onaka ga itai” (oh-nah-kah gah ee-tie), “onaka” means stomach, “ga” is a subject marker, and “itai” means painful or hurt.

It’s an easy way to express stomach pain to someone.

A common mistake is forgetting “ga” which connects the subject properly.

Example: お腹が痛いので薬をください (Onaka ga itai node kusuri o kudasai) — “My stomach hurts, so please give me medicine.”

Using this phrase will help you get medicine or advice quickly.

3. 熱 (Netsu) – Fever

“Netsu” means “fever.”

Pronounced “netsu” (neh-tsu), it’s a short and easy word to remember.

It’s perfect for telling someone you have a fever.

Don’t confuse it with “netsu” meaning passion, but context usually makes it clear.

You can say: 熱があります (Netsu ga arimasu) — “I have a fever.”

Knowing this helps health professionals understand your condition quickly.

4. 咳 (Seki) – Cough

This word means “cough.”

Pronounced “seki” (seh-kee), it’s simple and handy for describing your symptoms.

It helps when explaining you have a cough to a doctor or pharmacist.

Be careful not to mix it up with “seki” meaning “seat” in other contexts.

Example phrase: 咳が出ます (Seki ga demasu) — “I have a cough.”

Use it to get the right medicine or advice quickly.

5. 鼻水 (Hanamizu) – Runny nose

“Hanamizu” means “runny nose.”

It’s pronounced “hanamizu” (hah-nah-mee-zoo). “Hana” means nose, “mizu” means water—easy to remember!

This word is great for describing cold symptoms.

Don’t confuse “mizu” with plain water; here it means the watery drip from your nose.

You might say: 鼻水が出ています (Hanamizu ga deteimasu) — “I have a runny nose.”

Perfect for pharmacy visits when you need tissues or cold medicine.

6. くしゃみ (Kushami) – Sneeze

“Kushami” means “sneeze.”

Pronounced “kushami” (koo-shah-mee), it’s a casual, everyday word.

It’s useful when describing allergy or cold symptoms to friends or doctors.

Try not to overuse it in formal settings; it’s more conversational.

Example: くしゃみが止まりません (Kushami ga tomarimasen) — “I can’t stop sneezing.”

A handy word for allergy season or colds.

7. かゆい (Kayui) – Itchy

“Kayui” means “itchy.”

Pronounced “kayui” (kah-yoo-ee), it’s a straightforward adjective.

Perfect for describing skin irritation or allergic reactions.

A common mistake is mixing it up with “kawaii” (cute), which sounds similar but means something very different.

Example phrase: 目がかゆいです (Me ga kayui desu) — “My eyes are itchy.”

Knowing this helps when buying creams or asking for advice.

8. めまい (Memai) – Dizziness

“Memai” means “dizziness.”

Pronounced “memai” (meh-my), it’s easy to say and important for serious symptoms.

It helps explain if you feel lightheaded or faint.

Don’t confuse it with “memai” meaning “eyebrows” which is rare and different in kanji.

Example: めまいがします (Memai ga shimasu) — “I feel dizzy.”

Use this to communicate symptoms clearly to medical staff.

Part 2: Polite & Formal Suggestions

9. 気分が悪いです (Kibun ga warui desu) – I feel unwell

This phrase means “I feel unwell” in a polite way.

Pronounced “kibun ga warui desu” (kee-boon gah wah-roo-ee dess), it’s a gentle way to express discomfort.

It’s perfect for formal settings like hospitals or when speaking with strangers.

Make sure to use “desu” at the end for politeness.

Example: 気分が悪いので休みたいです (Kibun ga warui node yasumitai desu) — “I feel unwell, so I want to rest.”

This phrase opens the door for more detailed conversations about your health.

10. 薬をください (Kusuri o kudasai) – Please give me medicine

This polite phrase means “Please give me medicine.”

Pronounced “kusuri o kudasai” (koo-soo-ree oh koo-dah-sai), it’s a must-know for buying medicine.

“Kusuri” means medicine, “o” is the object marker, and “kudasai” means please.

A common mistake is forgetting “o,” which sounds unnatural without it.

Example: 頭痛の薬をください (Zutsū no kusuri o kudasai) — “Please give me headache medicine.”

Politeness here helps you get better service from staff.

11. 予約をしたいです (Yoyaku o shitai desu) – I want to make an appointment

This phrase means “I want to make an appointment.”

Pronounced “yoyaku o shitai desu” (yoh-yah-koo oh shee-tie dess), it’s polite and clear.

Useful when you need to see a doctor formally.

Remember to add “desu” for politeness.

Example: 医者に予約をしたいです (Isha ni yoyaku o shitai desu) — “I want to make an appointment with a doctor.”

Using this phrase makes scheduling smooth and respectful.

12. 痛み止め (Itamidome) – Painkiller

“Itamidome” means “painkiller.”

Pronounced “itamidome” (ee-tah-mee-doh-meh), it’s a compound word: “itami” (pain) + “dome” (stopper).

Good to know when asking for specific medicine.

Watch for pronunciation to avoid confusion with other words starting with “ita.”

Example: 痛み止めをください (Itamidome o kudasai) — “Please give me a painkiller.”

This word helps you get targeted relief quickly.

13. アレルギーがあります (Arerugī ga arimasu) – I have allergies

This polite phrase means “I have allergies.”

Pronounced “arerugī ga arimasu” (ah-reh-roo-ghee gah ah-ree-mahss), it’s borrowed from English but fully natural in Japanese.

Great for explaining your sensitivities to food or environment.

Remember to say “arimasu” for formality.

Example: 私は花粉のアレルギーがあります (Watashi wa kafun no arerugī ga arimasu) — “I have a pollen allergy.”

Knowing this phrase can prevent uncomfortable situations or health problems.

14. 休ませてください (Yasumasete kudasai) – Please let me rest

This phrase means “Please let me rest.”

Pronounced “yasumasete kudasai” (yah-soo-mah-seh-teh koo-dah-sai), it’s polite and useful when you need a break.

It’s often used when asking a teacher or employer.

Don’t forget “kudasai” to keep it polite.

Example: 今日は休ませてください (Kyō wa yasumasete kudasai) — “Please let me rest today.”

Using this phrase shows respect while expressing your needs.

15. 医者に行きたいです (Isha ni ikitai desu) – I want to go to the doctor

This phrase means “I want to go to the doctor.”

Pronounced “isha ni ikitai desu” (ee-shah nee ee-kee-tie dess), it’s polite and direct.

Perfect for telling someone you need medical attention.

Make sure to use “desu” for politeness.

Example: 具合が悪いので医者に行きたいです (Guai ga warui node isha ni ikitai desu) — “I feel unwell, so I want to go to the doctor.”

Clear communication here can speed up getting help.

16. 看護師を呼んでください (Kangoshi o yonde kudasai) – Please call a nurse

This polite phrase means “Please call a nurse.”

Pronounced “kangoshi o yonde kudasai” (kahn-go-shee oh yohn-deh koo-dah-sai), it’s useful in hospitals.

“Kangoshi” means nurse, “yonde” is the request form of “call,” and “kudasai” adds politeness.

Common mistake is forgetting “o” which marks the object.

Example: 看護師を呼んでください、痛いです (Kangoshi o yonde kudasai, itai desu) — “Please call a nurse, it hurts.”

Knowing this phrase can make emergency situations easier.

Part 3: Very Casual / Native-like Expressions

17. 頭がズキズキする (Atama ga zukizuki suru) – My head is throbbing

This casual phrase means “My head is throbbing.”

Pronounced “atama ga zukizuki suru” (ah-tah-mah gah zoo-kee-zoo-kee soo-roo), “zukizuki” is an onomatopoeia for throbbing pain.

It’s a natural way to describe headache pain among friends.

Try not to use this in formal situations—it’s very casual.

Example: 昨日から頭がズキズキするよ (Kinō kara atama ga zukizuki suru yo) — “My head has been throbbing since yesterday.”

Use this to sound more like a native speaker in casual chats.

18. お腹がゴロゴロする (Onaka ga gorogoro suru) – My stomach is rumbling

This phrase means “My stomach is rumbling” or feeling unsettled.

Pronounced “onaka ga gorogoro suru” (oh-nah-kah gah go-ro-go-ro soo-roo), “gorogoro” imitates a rumbling sound.

It’s commonly used to describe stomach discomfort or hunger.

Avoid using it in very formal or medical situations.

Example: 朝からお腹がゴロゴロしてる (Asa kara onaka ga gorogoro shiteru) — “My stomach’s been rumbling since morning.”

This expression makes your speech sound natural and relatable.

19. ちょっと気持ち悪い (Chotto kimochi warui) – I feel a little sick

This casual phrase means “I feel a little sick.”

Pronounced “chotto kimochi warui” (cho-toh kee-moh-chee wah-roo-ee), “chotto” means a little, “kimochi warui” means feeling bad.

It’s a friendly way to express mild discomfort.

Be careful with tone—it’s informal but polite enough for friends or coworkers.

Example: ちょっと気持ち悪いから休むね (Chotto kimochi warui kara yasumu ne) — “I feel a bit sick, so I’ll rest.”

Great for casual conversations when you want to sound natural.

20. 鼻がムズムズする (Hana ga muzumuzu suru) – My nose is itchy

This casual phrase means “My nose is itchy.”

Pronounced “hana ga muzumuzu suru” (hah-nah gah moo-zoo-moo-zoo soo-roo), “muzumuzu” is an onomatopoeia for an itchy sensation.

It’s a cute and informal way to describe allergy symptoms.

Not suitable for formal medical contexts.

Example: 花粉症で鼻がムズムズするよ (Kafunshō de hana ga muzumuzu suru yo) — “My nose is itchy because of hay fever.”

Use this for fun, natural conversations about allergies.

21. 体がだるい (Karada ga darui) – I feel sluggish

This phrase means “I feel sluggish or tired.”

Pronounced “karada ga darui” (kah-rah-dah gah dah-roo-ee), it’s a common way to describe fatigue.

It’s casual but widely used among friends and family.

Don’t use it in professional medical conversations.

Example: 最近、体がだるいんだ (Saikin, karada ga daruin da) — “Lately, I’ve been feeling sluggish.”

Perfect for expressing everyday tiredness naturally.

22. めちゃくちゃ痛い (Mechakucha itai) – It hurts a lot

This phrase means “It hurts a lot” in a very casual way.

Pronounced “mechakucha itai” (meh-chah-koo-chah ee-tie), “mechakucha” means extremely or messy.

It’s great for exaggerating pain when talking to close friends.

Avoid using it in serious or formal settings.

Example: 足がめちゃくちゃ痛いよ！(Ashi ga mechakucha itai yo!) — “My leg hurts so much!”

Use this to express strong pain casually and vividly.

23. もうダメ (Mō dame) – I can’t take it anymore

This casual phrase means “I can’t take it anymore.”

Pronounced “mō dame” (moh dah-meh), it’s often used to express frustration or exhaustion.

It’s emotional and very informal.

Not recommended for medical consultations, but useful among friends.

Example: 頭痛がひどくてもうダメだ (Zutsū ga hidokute mō dame da) — “My headache is terrible, I can’t take it anymore.”

This phrase can communicate how overwhelmed you feel naturally.

24. なんか気持ち悪い (Nanka kimochi warui) – I feel kind of sick/weird

This phrase means “I feel kind of sick or weird.”

Pronounced “nanka kimochi warui” (nahn-kah kee-moh-chee wah-roo-ee), “nanka” means “kind of” or “somehow.”

It’s very casual and common in everyday speech.

Best used with friends or family, not in formal situations.

Example: なんか気持ち悪いから帰るね (Nanka kimochi warui kara kaeru ne) — “I feel kind of sick, so I’m going home.”

This phrase adds a natural, conversational tone to expressing discomfort.

Concluding Thought

Learning these 24 essential Japanese words for common ailments is like having a little health toolkit in your pocket.

They help you communicate clearly, seek help politely, and sound natural when talking about how you feel.

With these words, you’re better prepared for those “just in case” moments, making your time in Japan safer and more comfortable. Keep practicing and stay healthy!