Translation guide
Describes a person with a severe spinal curvature, or the condition itself. In Japanese, the most common and neutral term is せむし, but it can be considered insensitive in some contexts. Medical terms exist but are less common in everyday speech.
Referring to a person who has a hunchback, or the condition itself in a general sense.
The most common word for a hunchback or the condition. It can be used both for the person and the physical state. Note that it may be considered derogatory or insensitive, similar to 'hunchback' in English.
彼はせむしだ。
He is a hunchback.
せむしの男が道を歩いていた。
A hunchbacked man was walking down the street.
Literally 'cat back', this refers to a stooped or hunched posture, often from habit rather than a medical condition. It can describe a mild hunchback appearance but is not a medical term.
A kanji spelling for せむし, using rare characters. It is literary and almost never used in modern writing. The kana form is strongly preferred.
傴僂の男が現れた。
A hunchbacked man appeared.
Referring to the medical condition of an abnormally curved spine, often in a clinical context.
The formal medical term for kyphosis, the condition of having a hunchback. Used in medical settings.
脊柱後弯症と診断された。
I was diagnosed with kyphosis.
A literary or traditional medical term for hunchback, literally 'turtle back'. Rarely used in modern contexts.
亀背の症状が見られる。
Symptoms of kyphosis are observed.
Describing someone or something as having a hump or being hunched.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'the back is bent'. This is a neutral and natural way to describe a hunched back without using a potentially loaded noun.
祖母は背中が曲がっている。
My grandmother has a bent back.
The adjectival form of せむし, used to modify a noun. For example, 'hunchbacked person' is せむしの人.
せむしの女性が立っていた。
A hunchbacked woman was standing there.
The word せむし can be considered derogatory or insensitive, much like 'hunchback' in English. In polite conversation, it's safer to use descriptive phrases like 背中が曲がっている (having a bent back) or medical terms when appropriate.