Translation guide
How to express being confined to bed or home due to illness or injury in Japanese.
The speaker is unable to leave bed or home because of sickness or an injury.
The most common and natural way to say someone is laid up in bed with an illness. It implies being bedridden for a period of time.
The person is not necessarily bedridden but is stuck at home because of a physical injury that limits mobility.
A car, ship, or machine is temporarily unusable due to damage or maintenance.
Standard term for 'out of order' or 'under repair.' Used for machines, vehicles, etc.
The English phrase 'be laid up' is idiomatic. A literal translation like 置かれている (okarete iru) makes no sense in Japanese. Use the expressions above depending on the context.
I was laid up with a cold for three days.
My mother is laid up with the flu.
A slightly more formal or literary expression for being bedridden due to illness. Often used in writing or polite speech.
My grandfather has been laid up since last week.
Literally 'to take to one's bed.' A formal or literary way to say someone is confined to bed due to illness. Not used in casual conversation.
He is laid up with a serious illness.
An idiomatic expression meaning to be stuck or stranded somewhere, often due to an injury or unforeseen circumstance. Casual.
I was laid up for a month with a broken bone.
Literally 'unable to move.' Used when someone is physically incapacitated and cannot go about their daily activities.
I'm laid up with a thrown-out back.
The elevator is laid up (out of service).
Specifically for ships: 'in dock' for repairs. Not used for people or other vehicles.
The ship is laid up in dock.