Translation guide
In Japanese, the most common and neutral term for mental illness is 精神疾患 (seishin shikkan). However, everyday conversation often uses 心の病気 (kokoro no byōki) for a softer, more accessible tone. The choice depends on context, formality, and sensitivity.
To refer to mental illness in a medical, clinical, or formal context.
The standard medical term for mental illness or psychiatric disorder. Used in clinical settings, official documents, and news reports.
精神疾患の治療には時間がかかることが多い。
Treatment for mental illness often takes time.
Literally 'mental disease.' Historically used but now considered somewhat outdated and potentially stigmatizing. Still appears in some compound terms and older texts.
Can sound old-fashioned or insensitive; 精神疾患 is preferred in modern clinical contexts.
彼は精神病を患っている。
He suffers from a mental illness.
To talk about mental health issues in a gentle, non-clinical way, often to reduce stigma or show empathy.
Literally 'illness of the heart/mind.' A common, softer alternative to clinical terms. Used in general conversation, self-help contexts, and media to make the topic more approachable.
心の病気で休職しています。
I'm on leave due to a mental health condition.
Uses the loanword 'mental' and is common in casual conversation, especially among younger people. Slightly less formal than 心の病気.
最近メンタルの病気になる人が増えている。
Recently, more people are developing mental illnesses.
To refer to specific types of mental illness, such as depression or anxiety disorders.
Depression (clinical). The most common specific mental illness term. Often used in both medical and everyday contexts.
うつ病と診断されました。
I was diagnosed with depression.
To talk about mental health struggles without necessarily labeling them as an illness.
Mental health problems. A broad, modern term that avoids clinical labeling. Common in workplace wellness and everyday speech.
会社はメンタルヘルスの問題に取り組んでいます。
The company is addressing mental health issues.
Mental distress or imbalance. A gentle way to describe emotional struggles without medicalizing them.
心の不調を感じたら、早めに相談してください。
If you feel mentally unwell, please seek help early.
Terms like 気違い (kichigai, 'crazy') or 精神分裂病 (seishin bunretsu byō, 'split-mind disease') are highly offensive and should never be used. Even 精神病 (seishin byō) can carry stigma; prefer 精神疾患 or 心の病気 in most situations.
The loanword メンタル is very productive in casual Japanese: メンタルが弱い (mentaru ga yowai, 'mentally weak'), メンタルをやられる (mentaru o yarareru, 'to have one's mental health damaged'). These are common in everyday speech but may sound flippant in serious contexts.
Anxiety disorder. A clinical term, but increasingly used in general conversation as awareness grows.
不安障害の症状には動悸やめまいがあります。
Symptoms of anxiety disorder include palpitations and dizziness.
Schizophrenia. The modern clinical term, replacing the older and stigmatizing 精神分裂病 (seishin bunretsu byō).
統合失調症は適切な治療で症状をコントロールできます。
Schizophrenia can be managed with proper treatment.