Translation guide
Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease. In Japanese, the medical term is ハンセン病, while older terms like 癩病 are now considered discriminatory. This guide covers medical, historical, and figurative uses.
Referring to the disease itself in a clinical or factual context.
The standard, non-discriminatory medical term for leprosy, named after the discoverer of the bacterium.
ハンセン病は治療可能な病気です。
Leprosy is a treatable disease.
An older term, now often replaced by ハンセン病. Can be used in historical contexts but may carry stigma.
Use with care; ハンセン病 is preferred in modern, respectful discourse.
かつてはらい病と呼ばれていました。
It was once called leprosy.
A single-character term for leprosy, now largely obsolete and considered discriminatory. Found in historical texts.
Avoid in modern speech; highly stigmatized.
古文書に「癩」の記述がある。
There is a description of 'leprosy' in the ancient document.
Referring to a person who has or had leprosy.
Neutral term for a leprosy patient.
ハンセン病患者への差別は根深い問題です。
Discrimination against leprosy patients is a deep-rooted problem.
Older term, still encountered but less preferred due to stigma.
ハンセン病患者 is more respectful.
らい患者の隔離政策は廃止されました。
The isolation policy for leprosy patients was abolished.
Discussing leprosy in historical, legal, or social discrimination contexts.
Refers to the social issue of leprosy discrimination and past isolation policies in Japan.
ハンセン病問題は日本の人権課題の一つです。
The leprosy issue is one of Japan's human rights challenges.
The now-defunct Leprosy Prevention Law, a key part of historical discrimination.
らい予防法は1996年に廃止されました。
The Leprosy Prevention Law was abolished in 1996.
Using 'leprosy' metaphorically to describe someone treated as an outcast or something shunned.
Japanese does not typically use leprosy as a metaphor. Instead, use terms for ostracism.
彼はクラスでのけ者にされている。
He is treated like a leper in class. (lit. He is made an outcast in class.)
村八分にされるのはつらい。
Being ostracized is painful.
Describes treating someone as untouchable, similar to the figurative 'leper'.
彼女は私をまるで触るなと言わんばかりに避けた。
She avoided me as if I were a leper.
The term 癩病 (らいびょう) and its derivatives are now widely considered discriminatory. Always use ハンセン病 in medical and respectful contexts. The shift in terminology reflects awareness of human rights.
ハンセン病元患者の方々への謝罪
Apology to former leprosy patients
English often uses 'leper' figuratively to mean an outcast. Japanese does not use leprosy metaphors in the same way. Instead, use words like のけ者 (outcast) or phrases describing avoidance.