Translation guide
The condition of being unable to hear, or the medical/cultural concept of hearing loss. In Japanese, the most common and neutral term is 難聴 (なんちょう), but expressions vary by context, politeness, and whether referring to the condition itself or to Deaf culture.
To refer to deafness or hearing impairment in a neutral, clinical, or everyday context.
The standard medical and general term for hearing loss or deafness. Can be used for partial or total hearing loss. Often combined with modifiers like 軽度 (mild) or 重度 (severe).
彼は軽度の難聴です。
He has mild hearing loss.
加齢による難聴が進んでいる。
Age-related hearing loss is progressing.
Literally 'hearing disability'. A more formal term used in official, medical, and educational contexts. It encompasses a range of hearing impairments, not just total deafness.
聴覚障害者向けのサービスを提供しています。
We provide services for people with hearing disabilities.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'the state of not being able to hear'. More conversational and direct than 難聴, but can be used in everyday speech.
耳が聞こえないことで、日常生活に不便を感じる。
I feel inconvenienced in daily life because of my deafness.
To emphasize complete inability to hear, often in medical or descriptive contexts.
The kanji 聾 means 'deafness', often implying profound or total hearing loss. It is used in compound words like 聾学校 (school for the deaf) or 聾者 (deaf person), but the standalone kanji is less common in everyday speech.
彼は生まれつきのろうです。
He has been deaf since birth.
Means 'totally deaf' or 'profoundly deaf'. Used in medical or educational settings to specify complete hearing loss.
全ろうの子どもには手話が第一言語になることが多い。
For children who are profoundly deaf, sign language often becomes their first language.
To refer to the cultural and linguistic identity of Deaf people who use sign language and share a community.
Refers to Deaf culture, the shared values, traditions, and language (Japanese Sign Language) of the Deaf community in Japan.
ろう文化では、手話が重要な役割を果たします。
In Deaf culture, sign language plays an important role.
A term for a Deaf person, especially one who identifies with Deaf culture and uses sign language. More identity-focused than 聴覚障害者.
彼女はろう者で、日本手話を話します。
She is a Deaf person and uses Japanese Sign Language.
To describe a condition where hearing is lost suddenly or temporarily, often due to illness or injury.
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss, a specific medical condition. Often used when hearing disappears suddenly in one ear.
突発性難聴と診断されました。
I was diagnosed with sudden deafness.
Temporary hearing loss, which can be caused by ear infections, loud noise, etc.
大きな音で一時的な難聴になった。
I got temporary hearing loss from a loud noise.
難聴 (なんちょう) is the most common and neutral term for hearing loss, used in everyday and medical contexts. 聴覚障害 (ちょうかくしょうがい) is a formal term for hearing disability, often used in official documents and services. ろう (聾) specifically refers to profound deafness and is often used in the context of Deaf culture and identity. When in doubt, 難聴 is a safe choice for general hearing loss.
難聴の人は補聴器を使うことがあります。
People with hearing loss sometimes use hearing aids.
聴覚障害者手帳を取得しました。
I obtained a disability certificate for hearing impairment.
ろう学校で手話を学びました。
I learned sign language at a school for the deaf.
While 耳が聞こえない (みみがきこえない) means 'cannot hear', the noun form 耳の聞こえなさ is not a standard or natural way to say 'deafness'. Use 難聴 or 聴覚障害 instead.
In Japanese, direct references to disabilities can sometimes be softened. Phrases like 耳が不自由 (みみがふじゆう, 'hearing-impaired') or 耳の聞こえが悪い (みみのきこえがわるい, 'poor hearing') are used as euphemisms in polite conversation. However, within the Deaf community, ろう is preferred as a positive identity marker.