Translation guide
STD stands for Sexually Transmitted Disease. In Japanese, the most common term is 性感染症 (seikansenshō), often abbreviated as 性病 (seibyō) in casual contexts. This guide covers how to talk about STDs, including medical terms, symptoms, testing, and related expressions.
The most common and neutral way to refer to a sexually transmitted disease.
The standard medical and formal term. Used in healthcare settings, official documents, and educational materials.
Condoms are effective for preventing STDs.
A more casual and slightly dated term, but still widely understood. Often used in everyday conversation and media. Can sound a bit blunt or old-fashioned.
In formal or medical contexts, 性感染症 is preferred.
He has had an STD before.
The English acronym is commonly used in Japan, especially in written materials, clinics, and among younger people. Pronounced as individual letters: エスティーディー.
I'd like to get an STD test.
Sometimes abbreviated as STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) in English, but in Japanese, 性感染症 covers both STD and STI. The distinction is less common.
Early detection of STIs is important.
Names of common sexually transmitted diseases.
Chlamydia. Very common. Often referred to in full as クラミジア感染症.
Chlamydia often has few noticeable symptoms.
Gonorrhea. The medical term is 淋菌感染症, but 淋病 is more common in everyday language.
Syphilis. Cases have been rising in Japan. Often tested together with HIV.
HIV is usually referred to by the English acronym (エイチアイブイ). AIDS is エイズ.
I want to check if I'm infected with HIV.
Herpes. Genital herpes is 性器ヘルペス.
Phrases for requesting or discussing STD testing.
STD test. Commonly used in clinics and online searches. 性感染症検査 is the more formal equivalent.
I'd like to get an STD test.
To get tested. Can be used with specific disease names or general terms.
I'd like to get an HIV test.
Anonymous testing. Many public health centers offer free anonymous testing.
Common phrases to describe symptoms or infection status.
To have symptoms. Often used in negative form to say no symptoms.
I don't have symptoms but I'm worried.
To be infected. Used with disease names or general terms.
I might have contracted an STD.
To be transmitted (intransitive). Casual way to say something is contagious.
To transmit (transitive). To pass an infection to someone.
Talking about prevention methods.
Prevention. Often used with 方法 (method) or 策 (measure).
Please tell me how to prevent STDs.
Condom. The most common term. Sometimes called ゴム in slang.
Safer sex. A loanword used in educational contexts.
Let's practice safer sex.
How to tell a partner about an STD or ask about their status.
To tell about an STD. A straightforward way to say you need to disclose.
I have to tell my partner about the STD.
Have you been tested? Casual way to ask a partner. Can be made more polite by adding か or using されましたか.
This is very direct and may be considered rude if not in an intimate relationship. Use with care.
I might be infected. A way to express concern without a confirmed diagnosis.
性感染症 is the modern, medically accurate term and is preferred in formal contexts. 性病 is older and more colloquial, but still very common in everyday speech. In a clinic, you'll see 性感染症 on forms, but a doctor might say 性病. When in doubt, use 性感染症 for clarity and politeness.
Public health centers (保健所) often provide free and anonymous testing for HIV and some STDs. Urology clinics (泌尿器科) and gynecology clinics (婦人科) also offer testing. Search online for 性病検査 無料 匿名 to find services.
淋病の治療には抗生物質が使われる。
Antibiotics are used to treat gonorrhea.
梅毒の検査もお願いします。
Please test for syphilis as well.
性器ヘルペスは再発することがある。
Genital herpes can recur.
You can get anonymous testing at the public health center.
STDs are transmitted through sex.
I ended up passing it to my partner.
Please always use a condom.
Have you had an STD test recently?
I might be infected, so I want you to get tested.