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.
Do you have any past medical history?
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.
Please tell me your medical history in detail.
Plain, conversational way to ask about past illnesses. Literally 'illnesses you've had until now'.
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.
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.
Please fill in the medical history section of this form.
Medical record or clinical notes. More comprehensive than just history.
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.
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.
Past medical history: pneumonia (5 years ago)
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.
Have you ever had any serious illnesses?
Please obtain your medical records.
The medical history is recorded in the patient chart.
Please tell me about your family medical history.