Translation guide
Describes a state of being unwell, weak, or in bad physical condition. Japanese expressions vary by nuance: chronic poor health, temporary sickness, physical weakness, or delicate constitution.
To say someone is in poor health or not feeling well in a general sense.
The most common and neutral way to say someone is in poor physical condition or not feeling well. Can be used for temporary or ongoing states.
最近、体調が悪いです。
I've been in poor health lately.
He was in poor health and took the day off work.
A more formal or clinical way to say 'health condition is not good'. Often used in medical contexts or official statements.
祖父の健康状態が良くないので、心配です。
My grandfather's health is poor, so I'm worried.
A noun meaning poor condition, malfunction, or disorder. Often used in compounds like 体調不調 (physical condition poor) or 胃の不調 (stomach trouble).
体の不調を感じたら、早めに休んでください。
If you feel in poor health, please rest early.
To describe someone who is often sick or has a naturally weak body.
Describes a person who is physically weak and prone to illness. Often used for children or as a permanent characteristic.
彼女は病弱で、よく学校を休む。
She is in poor health and often misses school.
Literally 'body is weak'. A common, natural way to say someone has a weak constitution or is prone to getting sick.
私は体が弱くて、冬はいつも風邪をひきます。
I have poor health and always catch colds in winter.
A more technical term for physical weakness or frailty. Often used in medical or literary contexts.
To say you are currently sick or not feeling well, often with specific symptoms.
Very common for feeling unwell or sick at a specific moment. Slightly more casual than 体調が悪い.
ちょっと具合が悪いので、先に帰ります。
I'm feeling a bit unwell, so I'll go home early.
Means 'sick' or 'illness'. Can be used to say someone is sick, but it's more direct and implies a specific illness rather than general poor health.
Using 病気 directly can sound like you have a diagnosed disease. For general poor health, 体調が悪い is safer.
母が病気で入院しています。
My mother is in poor health and hospitalized.
To describe health deteriorating from lifestyle factors.
Literally 'ruin one's health from overwork'. A common expression for health breakdown due to excessive work.
彼は過労で体を壊して、会社を辞めた。
He ruined his health from overwork and quit his job.
To have one's health break down due to stress. 体調を崩す is a common phrase for falling into poor health.
ストレスで体調を崩して、一週間休みました。
I fell into poor health from stress and took a week off.
Both mean 'not feeling well', but 体調が悪い is slightly more formal and can refer to longer-term condition, while 具合が悪い is more immediate and casual. In many situations they are interchangeable.
今日は体調が悪いので、休みます。
I'm in poor health today, so I'll rest.
ちょっと具合が悪いんだけど、薬ある？
I'm feeling a bit unwell, do you have any medicine?
The English phrase 'poor health' is often used as a general state, but directly translating it as 悪い健康 or 貧しい健康 is unnatural. Use the phrases above depending on context.
I started exercising to improve my poor health (weak constitution).