Translation guide
A substance or treatment with no active therapeutic effect, used either in medical trials or for psychological benefit. In Japanese, the loanword プラセボ is standard, but native expressions also exist.
Referring to a pill, injection, or treatment that has no pharmacological effect, often used in clinical trials or as a control.
The most common and direct equivalent, a loanword from English. Used in medical and scientific contexts.
In this study, we compare the placebo group and the active drug group.
A native Japanese term literally meaning 'fake medicine'. Used in formal or technical writing, but less common in everyday speech.
The placebo effect arises from psychological factors.
An alternative loanword spelling, closer to the Italian 'placebo'. Rarely used; プラセボ is preferred.
The spelling プラシーボ is hardly ever seen.
Describing the phenomenon where a patient's symptoms improve due to belief in a treatment, not its active ingredients.
Referring to a measure intended to calm someone without addressing the real issue, often in non-medical contexts.
Literally 'mind-resting'. Used for words or actions that provide temporary comfort but no real solution. Natural in everyday conversation.
His advice was nothing more than a placebo.
Means 'stopgap' or 'makeshift'. Implies a temporary fix that doesn't solve the underlying problem. Can be used similarly to 'placebo' in a figurative sense.
The loanword can also be used metaphorically, but 気休め is more natural for everyday situations.
Use プラセボ for medical/scientific contexts. Use 気休め for everyday situations where something is done just to make someone feel better temporarily. 偽薬 is formal and mostly written.
The doctor prescribed a placebo.
That's just a placebo (to make you feel better).
The placebo effect is an important factor to consider in clinical trials.
That policy is just a stopgap placebo.
その謝罪は単なるプラセボだった。
That apology was just a placebo.