Translation guide
An abscess is a painful collection of pus caused by an infection. In Japanese, the most common general term is 膿瘍 (のうよう), but in everyday conversation, people often describe the symptoms or use more specific words like できもの (boil-like swelling) or 腫れ物 (swelling).
I have an abscess.
Formal/medical. In casual speech, say できものができた (I got a boil/abscess).
Referring to an abscess in a medical or general context, such as a skin abscess or internal abscess.
The standard medical term for abscess. Used in formal and clinical settings. Can refer to any abscess, including internal ones.
I developed an abscess at the root of my tooth.
Treatment of an abscess requires incision and drainage.
A common, everyday word for any kind of skin lump, boil, or abscess. Not strictly medical, but widely understood. Often used for visible skin abscesses.
Refers to a swelling or boil, often with pus. Similar to できもの but emphasizes the swelling aspect. Common in everyday language.
Literally 'pus', but can be used colloquially to refer to a pus-filled abscess. More often used in phrases like 膿が出る (pus comes out).
Describing a particular kind of abscess, such as a boil, carbuncle, or dental abscess.
Medical term for a boil (furuncle), a type of skin abscess around a hair follicle. Often used in clinical contexts.
I have a boil and it's painful to sit.
Medical term for a carbuncle, a cluster of boils. Rarely used outside medical contexts.
Dental abscess (periapical abscess). Commonly used in dental contexts.
Perianal abscess. A specific medical term.
Talking about the signs of an abscess, such as swelling, pain, redness, and pus.
できもの is a general term for any skin lump, including pimples, boils, and cysts. 膿瘍 specifically means a pus-filled abscess and is more clinical. Use できもの in everyday conversation unless you need to be precise.
The English loanword アブセス is rarely used and may not be understood. Stick to native Japanese terms.
背中に大きなできものができて痛い。
I have a big abscess on my back and it hurts.
脇の下に腫れ物ができて、熱を持っています。
I have an abscess under my armpit, and it feels hot.
傷口から膿が出てきた。
Pus started coming out of the wound.
Diabetic patients are prone to developing carbuncles.
I went to the dentist because of a dental abscess.
Perianal abscesses often require incision and drainage.
That abscess is swollen and feels hot.
My gum is throbbing with pain; it might be an abscess.