Translation guide
A fungal skin infection causing ring-shaped rashes. In Japanese, the general term is 白癬 (はくせん), but everyday language uses specific words based on the affected body part.
The medical condition in general, or when the location is unspecified.
The formal medical term for ringworm (dermatophytosis). Used in clinical contexts.
白癬は真菌感染症の一種です。
Ringworm is a type of fungal infection.
Ringworm on the feet, between the toes.
The common term for athlete's foot. Literally 'water bug', but universally understood as the skin condition.
水虫がかゆくてたまらない。
My athlete's foot is so itchy I can't stand it.
The medical term for athlete's foot. Used by doctors or on medication packaging.
Ringworm in the groin area.
Common term for jock itch. Often shortened to いんきん in casual speech.
夏になると、いんきんたむしが再発する。
My jock itch comes back every summer.
Medical term for jock itch.
股部白癬は、股の内側にできる真菌感染症です。
Jock itch is a fungal infection that occurs on the inner thighs.
Ringworm on the trunk, arms, or legs (not feet or groin).
General colloquial term for ringworm on the body. Often used for tinea corporis or tinea cruris, but context usually clarifies.
腕にたむしができた。
I got ringworm on my arm.
Medical term for ringworm on the body.
体部白癬は、体のさまざまな部位に発生します。
Tinea corporis can occur on various parts of the body.
Ringworm on the head or scalp.
Common term for scalp ringworm, often seen in children. Literally 'white cloud'.
子供がしらくもにかかった。
My child caught ringworm on the scalp.
Fungal infection of the fingernails or toenails.
Medical term for nail ringworm. Commonly called 爪の水虫 (つめのみずむし) in everyday speech.
爪白癬は、爪が白く濁る病気です。
Nail ringworm is a condition where the nails become white and cloudy.
Common way to refer to nail fungus, extending the 'athlete's foot' term to nails.
爪の水虫がなかなか治らない。
My nail fungus just won't go away.
Japanese speakers rarely use the general term 白癬 in daily conversation. Instead, they name the affected body part: 水虫 (feet), たむし (body/groin), しらくも (scalp). If unsure, describe the symptom: 丸い発疹 (まるいほっしん, round rash) or かゆい (itchy).
The English word 'ringworm' literally means 'ring-shaped worm', but it is a fungal infection. Japanese terms do not use 'worm' (虫) except in 水虫, which is a fixed expression. Do not translate 'ringworm' as 輪虫 (わむし) or similar; it will not be understood.
足白癬の治療には抗真菌薬を使います。
Antifungal medication is used to treat athlete's foot.
Medical term for scalp ringworm.
頭部白癬は、髪の毛が抜ける原因になります。
Scalp ringworm can cause hair loss.