Translation guide
The English word 'clinical' has several distinct meanings. This guide helps learners express each meaning naturally in Japanese, from medical contexts to detached attitudes.
Describing something related to the direct care of patients, as opposed to theoretical or laboratory medicine.
The standard term for 'clinical' in medical contexts. Often used in compounds like 臨床試験 (clinical trial) or 臨床医 (clinician).
彼は臨床経験が豊富だ。
He has a lot of clinical experience.
この薬はまだ臨床試験の段階です。
This drug is still in the clinical trial stage.
Adjectival form meaning 'clinical'. Used to modify nouns directly.
臨床の現場で働きたい。
I want to work in a clinical setting.
Describing a manner or atmosphere that is coldly objective, analytical, or lacking emotion.
Means 'calm' or 'composed'. Often used to describe a clinical, unemotional approach.
彼は問題を冷静な目で見ている。
He looks at the problem with a clinical eye.
Means 'objective'. Emphasizes a fact-based, impersonal perspective.
彼女の分析はとても客観的だ。
Her analysis is very clinical.
Literally 'inorganic'. Describes a cold, sterile, or impersonal atmosphere, like a clinical environment.
病院の無機質な雰囲気が苦手だ。
I don't like the clinical atmosphere of hospitals.
Describing a place or design that is very clean, simple, and functional, but perhaps lacking warmth.
Means 'functional'. Often used for designs that prioritize utility over comfort, similar to 'clinical' in interior design.
オフィスは機能的で、飾り気がない。
The office is clinical and unadorned.
Means 'bare' or 'dreary'. Can describe a room that feels clinical due to lack of decoration.
殺風景な部屋で、病院みたいだ。
It's a clinical room, like a hospital.
When 'clinical' means unemotional or objective, do not use 臨床的な. That would mean 'clinical' in the medical sense. Use 冷静な or 客観的な instead.
彼の態度は臨床的だ。
His attitude is clinical. (Incorrect if meaning detached)