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.
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 Historically used but now considered somewhat outdated and potentially stigmatizing.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.
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.
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.
To refer to specific types of mental illness, such as depression or anxiety disorders.
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.
The company is addressing mental health issues.
Mental distress or imbalance. A gentle way to describe emotional struggles without medicalizing them.
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.
Recently, more people are developing mental illnesses.
Anxiety disorder. A clinical term, but increasingly used in general conversation as awareness grows.
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).
Schizophrenia can be managed with proper treatment.
If you feel mentally unwell, please seek help early.