Translation guide
The period of recovery after an illness, injury, or medical treatment. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through nouns, verbs, and set phrases that emphasize rest and gradual recovery.
Referring to the time spent resting and regaining strength after being sick or having an operation.
The most common and general term for convalescence, covering both medical treatment and rest. Used for recovery at home or in a facility.
After leaving the hospital, I'm convalescing at home.
I'm taking time off work to recuperate.
Emphasizes rest and quiet recuperation, often in a peaceful environment. Less medical than 療養.
The doctor told me to rest and recuperate.
I'm recuperating at a hot spring resort.
Literally 'recovery period', used in medical or formal contexts to describe the convalescent phase.
Adequate nutrition is necessary during convalescence.
A traditional term meaning to take care of one's health, often through rest, diet, and lifestyle during recovery.
Please take it easy and recuperate for a while.
Describing the process of getting better, often used as a verb.
The standard verb for 'recover'. Can be used for health, strength, or economic recovery.
He is recovering smoothly.
Please rest until your strength recovers.
A slightly formal phrase meaning 'to be on the mend' or 'to be convalescing favorably'.
Thankfully, I'm on the mend.
Medical term for 'healing' or 'cure', often used in clinical contexts. Not for everyday conversation.
Referring to a facility or location where one recuperates.
A sanatorium or convalescent home, often for long-term recovery from illness like tuberculosis in the past, now used for general recuperation facilities.
He is recuperating at a sanatorium.
A rest facility or resort for health recuperation, often run by companies or health insurance associations for employees.
I'll recuperate at the company's rest facility.
療養 (りょうよう) is the most general and medical term, often involving treatment. 静養 (せいよう) emphasizes quiet rest, often in a peaceful setting. 養生 (ようじょう) is a broader, traditional concept of health maintenance through lifestyle, not just recovery from illness.
English 'convalescence' is a noun, but in Japanese it's more natural to use verbs like 回復する or 療養する, or phrases like 静養中 (せいようちゅう, 'in the midst of recuperation'). Using a noun like 回復期 is possible but sounds formal or medical.
She is still in convalescence after the surgery.
Convalescence can be a slow process.
More natural than a literal translation using a noun.
Healing of the wound takes time.