Translation guide
A medical condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. In Japanese, it is commonly referred to as 糖尿病予備群 (tōnyōbyō yobigun) or 前糖尿病 (zen-tōnyōbyō).
Referring to the state of having blood sugar levels above normal but below the diabetes threshold.
The most common and widely understood term in Japan. Literally 'diabetes reserve group', it is used in public health contexts and by medical professionals.
健診で糖尿病予備群と言われました。
I was told at my health checkup that I have prediabetes.
A more direct translation of 'prediabetes', used in some medical literature. Less common in everyday conversation.
Talking about someone who has prediabetes.
Used to state that someone is in the prediabetes category. Often softened in conversation.
父は糖尿病予備群です。
My father has prediabetes.
While 糖尿病予備群 is the standard term, in casual settings people often avoid medical jargon and simply say 血糖値が高め (blood sugar is a bit high) or 糖尿病になりやすい (prone to diabetes).
Do not translate 'prediabetes' directly as プレ糖尿病 or 前糖尿病症. These are not standard and may cause confusion.
前糖尿病の段階で生活習慣を改善することが重要です。
It is important to improve lifestyle habits at the prediabetes stage.
Literally 'borderline diabetes', this term is sometimes used in clinical settings but is less patient-friendly.
境界型糖尿病と診断された場合は、定期的な検査が必要です。
If diagnosed with borderline diabetes, regular checkups are necessary.
A softer, less clinical way to say blood sugar is on the high side. Commonly used in everyday conversation.
最近、血糖値が高めで心配です。
Lately, my blood sugar is a bit high and I'm worried.