Translation guide
The English word "carbuncle" has two main meanings: a painful cluster of boils (medical) and a deep red gemstone (jewelry). The medical sense is more common in everyday language. The gemstone sense is rare and literary.
To refer to a severe skin infection with multiple pus-filled lumps, often on the back of the neck.
Medical term for a carbuncle, a cluster of boils. Used in formal or clinical contexts.
彼は首に癰ができて入院した。
He was hospitalized with a carbuncle on his neck.
To refer to a deep red gemstone, especially a cabochon-cut garnet. This usage is literary or historical.
a carbuncle ring · the carbuncle glowed in the dark
Loanword from English, used in fantasy or jewelry contexts. Most Japanese speakers will understand this as the gemstone.
その指輪には大きなカーバンクルがはめ込まれていた。
The ring had a large carbuncle set in it.
A carbuncle is a severe, deep infection. For a single boil, use おでき (odeki) or せつ (setsu). For pimples/acne, use にきび (nikibi). Using 癰 for a minor pimple sounds overly dramatic.
In a doctor's visit, you can simply point and say ここが腫れて痛いです (koko ga harete itai desu – 'It's swollen and painful here'). The doctor will use the term 癰 if needed.
A broader term for carbuncles and deep abscesses. Less common than 癰 alone.
癰疽の治療には抗生物質が必要です。
Treatment of carbuncles requires antibiotics.
Plain descriptive phrase meaning 'a cluster of boils'. Easily understood by non-medical speakers.
背中におできの集まりができて痛い。
I have a cluster of boils on my back and it hurts.
In casual conversation, you can describe the condition: 'a big, painful lump with multiple heads'. This avoids the technical term.
首の後ろに大きな腫れ物ができて、いくつも膿が出てるんです。
I have a big swelling on the back of my neck, and it's oozing pus from several spots.
Technical mineralogical term for red garnet (pyrope). Rarely used outside gemology.
紅榴石はガーネットの一種です。
Carbuncle is a type of garnet.
Descriptive phrase meaning 'deep crimson gem'. Useful when the specific term is unknown.
彼女は深紅の宝石をちりばめた首飾りをしていた。
She wore a necklace studded with deep crimson gems.