Translation guide
How to talk about a person's past medical conditions, treatments, and health background in Japanese. The most natural expressions depend on whether you are speaking as a patient, a doctor, or filling out a form.
Referring to one's own or someone's past illnesses, surgeries, and treatments in conversation or on forms.
Standard medical term for 'past medical history'. Used in clinical settings and on forms. Can refer to both the concept and the record.
既往歴はありますか？
Do you have any past medical history?
既往歴に糖尿病があります。
I have diabetes in my medical history.
General term for 'medical history' or 'clinical history'. Slightly broader than 既往歴, can include current conditions.
病歴を詳しく教えてください。
Please tell me your medical history in detail.
Plain, conversational way to ask about past illnesses. Literally 'illnesses you've had until now'.
今までにかかった病気はありますか？
Have you had any illnesses in the past?
Refers to a chronic condition or pre-existing illness. Not exactly 'medical history' but often relevant when discussing past health.
持病はありますか？
Do you have any chronic conditions?
Referring to the document or section of a form where medical history is recorded.
Also used for the 'past medical history' section on a medical questionnaire.
この用紙の既往歴の欄に記入してください。
Please fill in the medical history section of this form.
Medical record or clinical notes. More comprehensive than just history.
診療記録を取り寄せてください。
Please obtain your medical records.
From German 'Karte'. Refers to a patient's chart or medical file in a clinic/hospital. Not exactly 'history' but contains it.
Referring to the health history of blood relatives.
Standard term for 'family history' in a medical context.
家族歴に心臓病の方はいますか？
Is there any heart disease in your family history?
Plain way to say 'family medical history'.
家族の病歴について教えてください。
Please tell me about your family medical history.
既往歴 (きおうれき) strictly means 'past history' – conditions that have resolved or occurred before. 病歴 (びょうれき) is broader and can include current ongoing conditions. In many casual contexts they are interchangeable, but on official forms 既往歴 is the standard term.
既往歴：肺炎（5年前）
Past medical history: pneumonia (5 years ago)
病歴：高血圧（現在治療中）
Medical history: hypertension (currently under treatment)
When a doctor asks about your medical history, they may simply say 「今までに大きな病気をしましたか？」 (Have you had any serious illnesses before?). You don't need to use technical terms like 既往歴 when answering; just describe your past conditions in plain Japanese.
今までに大きな病気をしましたか？
Have you ever had any serious illnesses?
今までに大きな病気をしましたか？
Have you ever had any serious illnesses?
The medical history is recorded in the patient chart.