Translation guide
Cerumen is the medical term for earwax. In everyday English, people say 'earwax' much more often. This guide covers how to talk about earwax in Japanese, from casual to medical contexts.
cerumen (medical)
Medical term, same kanji but different reading.
The substance produced in the ear canal, in casual or daily conversation.
The medical term for earwax, used in clinical or formal contexts.
The medical term for cerumen. Same kanji as the everyday word but read differently.
Describing wet or dry earwax, a common topic in Japan due to genetic differences.
Actions and tools related to removing earwax.
Both are written 耳垢, but みみあか is the everyday word, while じこう is the medical term. Use みみあか in daily conversation and じこう in clinical contexts.
I'm bothered by earwax.
I need to get the earwax removed from my ear.
I had my earwax removed.
耳糞がすごいよ。
You've got a lot of earwax, man.
耳垢栓塞の診断を受けた。
I was diagnosed with cerumen impaction.
Ceruminous glands, the glands that produce cerumen. Highly technical.
It is secreted by the ceruminous glands.
Many Japanese have dry earwax, but I have wet earwax.
Dry-type earwax. Common in East Asian populations.
People with dry earwax have earwax that crumbles off.
Slang for wet, sticky earwax. Literally 'sticky ear'.
I have sticky earwax, so cleaning my ears is a pain.
Slang for dry, flaky earwax. Literally 'dry ear'.
People with dry earwax have it come out naturally.
Ear cleaning. The general term for cleaning one's ears, often with an ear pick.
I clean my ears every day.
An ear pick, the traditional tool for removing earwax. Also refers to the act of using it.
I remove earwax with an ear pick.
To remove earwax. A common verb phrase.
I had earwax removed at the ENT clinic.
Cotton swab (Q-tip). Often used for ear cleaning, though not recommended by doctors.
Doctors advise against inserting cotton swabs into the ear canal.
Cleaning your ears with cotton swabs is dangerous.
耳垢栓塞の治療。
Treatment for cerumen impaction.
In Japan, ear cleaning (耳掃除) is often done with an ear pick (耳かき) and is sometimes considered a relaxing activity. Many people have their ears cleaned by family members or at ear cleaning salons.
In English, 'cerumen' is a medical term rarely used outside clinical settings. In Japanese, the medical term 耳垢 (じこう) is also technical. For everyday use, always default to 耳垢 (みみあか).
過剰な耳垢は難聴の原因になる。
Excessive cerumen can cause hearing loss.
Medical context, so じこう is used.