Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of a long-lasting or recurring illness is expressed with specific terms that differ in nuance and usage. The most common and neutral term is 慢性疾患, but other words like 持病 and 宿痾 carry additional connotations of personal history or deep-seated affliction.
To refer to a disease that persists over a long period, in a neutral, clinical sense.
The standard medical term for 'chronic disease'. It is neutral and widely understood.
Diabetes is one of the chronic diseases.
Managing a chronic disease requires regular hospital visits.
A slightly less formal synonym for 慢性疾患, also meaning 'chronic illness'. It is common in everyday speech.
He lives energetically despite having a chronic illness.
To refer to a disease or condition that someone has suffered from for a long time, often implying it is a known, recurring problem for that person.
Refers to a chronic ailment that a person has had for a long time, often since childhood or for many years. It carries a nuance of a personal, ongoing health issue.
His chronic asthma has worsened again.
A literary or formal term for a deep-seated, long-standing illness or affliction. It often implies a serious, incurable condition that has plagued someone for a long time.
To discuss chronic diseases in the context of public health, lifestyle, or aging.
Literally 'lifestyle-related disease', this term is commonly used in Japan to refer to chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease that are linked to lifestyle habits. It is often used in health promotion contexts.
To prevent lifestyle-related diseases, I pay attention to exercise and diet.
An older term for 'adult disease', referring to chronic diseases that typically appear in adulthood, such as cancer, heart disease, and stroke. It has been largely replaced by 生活習慣病 in official contexts but is still understood.
慢性疾患 is a clinical, objective term for any chronic disease. 持病 emphasizes that the condition is a long-standing personal affliction, often known to the speaker and their close circle. Use 持病 when talking about your own or someone's known chronic condition, and 慢性疾患 when discussing the medical category.
I was diagnosed with a chronic disease by the doctor.
His chronic condition is an allergy he's had since childhood.
While 慢性的 (まんせいてき) means 'chronic', it is an adjective and cannot directly modify 病気 (びょうき) to mean 'chronic disease' in a natural way. The compound 慢性疾患 or 慢性病 is preferred. Saying 慢性的な病気 is possible but less common and slightly awkward.
Because of my chronic back pain, I can't sit for long periods.
He has been suffering from a long-standing chronic illness.
I was advised to get a check-up for adult diseases.