Translation guide
In Japanese, the most common word for 'hospital' is 病院 (びょういん). However, there are related terms for clinics, specific types of hospitals, and expressions for going to or being in the hospital. This guide covers the key vocabulary and natural usage.
Referring to a general hospital where patients are admitted and treated.
The standard word for 'hospital'. It refers to a medical facility with inpatient beds. Used in most contexts.
彼は病院で働いています。
He works at a hospital.
病院に行ったほうがいいですよ。
You should go to the hospital.
A large hospital, often a general hospital with many departments. Used when emphasizing size or scale.
Referring to a smaller medical facility, like a clinic or private practice, which in English might also be called a 'hospital' in some contexts (e.g., 'eye hospital').
Referring to a hospital that specializes in a particular field (e.g., children's hospital, mental hospital).
Attach the specialty area before 病院. Common examples: 小児病院 (children's hospital), 精神病院 (mental hospital), 大学病院 (university hospital).
子どもが小児病院に入院しています。
My child is hospitalized in a children's hospital.
Expressing the action of going to the hospital for treatment or being admitted as a patient.
The most common way to say 'go to the hospital'. Used for both outpatient visits and emergencies.
明日病院に行きます。
I'm going to the hospital tomorrow.
Referring to the physical building or a specific room within a hospital.
病院 (byōin) is a hospital with inpatient facilities, typically larger. 医院 (iin) is a smaller clinic or private practice, often run by a single doctor. クリニック (kurinikku) is a loanword for clinic, often used for modern or specialized practices. In everyday conversation, 病院 is the safest choice for 'hospital'.
大きな病院に行くのは緊張します。
I get nervous going to a big hospital.
近所の医院はとても親切です。
The local clinic is very kind.
美容院 (biyōin) means 'beauty salon' or 'hairdresser'. The pronunciation is similar but the first character is different. Be careful not to mix them up.
病院に行かなければなりません。
I need to go to the hospital.
彼女は二週間入院していました。
She was in the hospital for two weeks.
駅の近くに病院があります。
There is a hospital near the station.
この地域には大病院が二つあります。
There are two large hospitals in this area.
A general hospital with multiple specialties. More formal or technical term.
彼女は総合病院の看護師です。
She is a nurse at a general hospital.
Loanword from English, commonly used for private clinics, especially those with a modern or specialized image. Often smaller than a 病院.
皮膚科のクリニックを探しています。
I'm looking for a dermatology clinic.
A doctor's office or private clinic. Often used for smaller practices, like a local doctor. Can be part of a name (e.g., 山田医院).
風邪をひいたので、近くの医院に行きました。
I caught a cold, so I went to a nearby clinic.
A clinic or medical office, often used in official contexts. Can refer to a small facility without inpatient beds.
この診療所は午後5時に閉まります。
This clinic closes at 5 p.m.
He is receiving treatment at a university hospital.
To be hospitalized, to be admitted to a hospital. This is the standard verb for inpatient care.
彼は一週間入院しました。
He was in the hospital for a week.
To go to the hospital regularly for treatment (as an outpatient). Implies ongoing visits.
彼女は週に一度通院しています。
She goes to the hospital once a week for treatment.
A hospital room, a ward room where patients stay.
病室から外の景色が見えます。
You can see the outside scenery from the hospital room.
A hospital ward or wing. Used for a section of a hospital, e.g., 小児病棟 (pediatric ward).
彼は外科病棟にいます。
He is in the surgical ward.
Go to the hospital → Go to the beauty salon
Go to the hospital → Go to the beauty salon