Translation guide
A learning difficulty that primarily affects reading and spelling. In Japanese, the most common term is ディスレクシア, but more formal or clinical terms exist. This guide helps you express the concept naturally in Japanese.
dyslexia (formal/clinical)
Used in medical or educational contexts
To refer to dyslexia in everyday conversation or non-specialist contexts.
The most common and widely understood term, borrowed from English. Suitable for most situations.
He has dyslexia.
There are teaching materials for children with dyslexia.
A more formal, clinical term meaning 'reading disorder'. Often used in medical or educational settings.
A clinical term for acquired dyslexia (alexia) or sometimes used for developmental dyslexia. Less common in everyday language.
To say that a person has dyslexia or is dyslexic.
The simplest way to state that someone has dyslexia. Use です for politeness.
I am dyslexic.
My child is dyslexic.
A more formal way to say someone has a reading disorder. Often used in professional contexts.
To talk about the specific challenges of dyslexia, such as trouble reading or writing.
A natural, non-clinical way to describe difficulty with reading and writing. Often used when explaining dyslexia to others.
People with dyslexia often struggle with reading and writing.
I have trouble reading and writing, and I'm struggling at school.
Literally 'reading characters is difficult'. A straightforward way to describe the core symptom.
ディスレクシア is the everyday term, while 読字障害 is more formal and clinical. In casual conversation, ディスレクシア is preferred. In official documents or medical reports, 読字障害 may be used.
I told my friend, 'I'm dyslexic.'
The medical certificate said 'reading disorder'.
If the listener is unfamiliar with dyslexia, you can explain it as 文字を読むのが苦手な特性 (a characteristic of having difficulty reading characters). This is often more effective than using a technical term.
My son was diagnosed with dyslexia.
She has dyslexia, so she uses audiobooks.
I was diagnosed with dyslexia.
Dyslexia can occur due to brain damage.
This student has dyslexia.
It's hard for me to read characters, so it takes time.
Dyslexia is a characteristic where you have difficulty reading characters.