Translation guide
In Japanese, the most common and general term for 'infectious disease' is 感染症 (kansenshō). There are also more specific terms like 伝染病 (densenbyō) for contagious diseases, and 疫病 (ekibyō) for epidemics or plagues. The choice depends on context and nuance.
infectious disease (general)
The learner wants to refer to any disease caused by infection, in a medical or everyday context.
This is the standard, modern medical and general term for 'infectious disease'. It covers all types of infections (viral, bacterial, etc.).
The novel coronavirus infectious disease spread worldwide.
Refers specifically to contagious diseases that spread from person to person or animal to person. It has a slightly older or more formal feel than 感染症, and is often used in legal or historical contexts.
Refers to an epidemic or plague, often with a historical or dramatic connotation. It implies a widespread, serious outbreak.
The learner wants to name a specific infectious disease, like COVID-19 or influenza.
This pattern is used to form the official names of many infectious diseases. For example, 新型コロナウイルス感染症 (COVID-19), インフルエンザ感染症 (influenza).
He was diagnosed with influenza.
The learner wants to say they caught an infectious disease in casual conversation.
A very common, casual way to say 'contagious disease' or 'something you can catch'. Literally 'a disease that transfers'.
Is that a contagious disease?
It's infectious, so be careful.
Means 'to infect someone' or 'to pass a disease to someone'. Used in everyday speech.
I wear a mask so I don't give my cold to others.
感染症 (kansenshō) is the broad, modern term for any infectious disease. 伝染病 (densenbyō) specifically means a contagious disease that spreads from person to person. In everyday conversation, 感染症 is more common. 伝染病 is often used in legal or historical contexts, like the 伝染病予防法 (Contagious Diseases Prevention Act).
Infectious diseases include contagious and non-contagious diseases.
疫病 (ekibyō) sounds dramatic and historical, like 'plague' or 'pestilence'. It is not suitable for modern medical contexts or common illnesses like the flu. Use 感染症 instead.
Infectious diseases can be prevented by vaccination.
He specializes in infectious diseases.
感染症の予防には手洗いが大切です。
Hand washing is important for the prevention of infectious diseases.
This law aims to prevent contagious diseases.
中世ヨーロッパでは疫病が何度も流行した。
In medieval Europe, plagues broke out many times.