Translation guide
Poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio, is a viral disease. In Japanese, it is most often referred to by the medical term 急性灰白髄炎 or the more common ポリオ. This guide covers how to talk about the disease in various contexts.
Referring to the disease poliomyelitis in medical or general contexts.
Formal medical term for poliomyelitis. Used in clinical settings and official documents.
急性灰白髄炎はウイルスによって引き起こされます。
Poliomyelitis is caused by a virus.
Common loanword from English 'polio'. Widely understood and used in everyday conversation, news, and public health contexts.
ポリオの予防接種を受けましたか？
Did you get the polio vaccine?
ポリオは現在、多くの国で根絶されています。
Polio has been eradicated in many countries now.
Literally 'infantile paralysis'. An older term still encountered, but less common today. May be used in historical contexts or by older generations.
彼は小児麻痺で足が不自由です。
He has a leg disability due to polio.
Describing paralysis or disability resulting from polio.
Standard way to say 'paralysis due to polio'.
ポリオによる麻痺が残りました。
Paralysis from polio remained.
Refers to aftereffects or sequelae of polio, such as post-polio syndrome.
ポリオの後遺症に悩まされています。
I suffer from the aftereffects of polio.
In most situations, ポリオ is sufficient and natural. Use 急性灰白髄炎 only in formal medical documents or when speaking with healthcare professionals who expect precise terminology.