Translation guide
The English word "sick" has several distinct meanings: physically ill, nauseous, mentally unwell, tired of something, or (slang) cool. Japanese uses different words for each.
To describe being in poor health, having an illness, or not feeling well.
General term for illness or being sick. Can be used as a noun or with する to mean 'get sick'.
Means 'not feeling well' or 'in bad condition'. Commonly used for temporary sickness.
今日は具合が悪いです。
I'm not feeling well today.
Similar to 具合が悪い, but slightly more formal. Refers to physical condition.
体調が悪いので休みます。
I'm taking the day off because I'm not feeling well.
Verb meaning 'to be ill' or 'to suffer from an illness'. Often used in literary or emotional contexts.
彼は心を病んでいる。
He is mentally ill.
To express feeling sick to one's stomach, nauseated, or like vomiting.
Standard phrase for feeling nauseous.
吐き気がします。
I feel sick (nauseous).
Casual way to say 'I feel sick' or 'gross'. Can also mean something is disgusting.
食べ過ぎて気持ち悪い。
I ate too much and feel sick.
Slang for feeling nauseous or irritated. Often used when something is annoying or makes you sick.
To describe someone who is psychologically ill, crazy, or twisted.
Literally 'suffering from a sick heart'. Used for mental illness.
彼は心を病んでいる。
He is mentally sick.
Means 'insane' or 'crazy'. Can be offensive if used carelessly.
Can be very direct and insulting. Use with caution.
あの人は狂っている。
That person is sick (crazy).
Means 'abnormal' or 'disorder'. Used in clinical or formal contexts.
To express being sick of something, annoyed, or having had enough.
Means 'to be fed up' or 'sick and tired'. Often used with に.
毎日同じ仕事でうんざりする。
I'm sick of the same work every day.
Means 'to get tired of' or 'to be bored with'. Less strong than うんざり.
このゲームに飽きた。
I'm sick of this game.
Means 'to become disgusted' or 'to get sick of'. Emphasizes emotional distaste.
彼の嘘には嫌になる。
I'm sick of his lies.
To use 'sick' as slang meaning excellent, impressive, or cool.
Slang that can mean both 'dangerous' and 'amazing/cool'. Context determines meaning.
その曲やばい！
That song is sick!
General word for 'amazing' or 'great'. Less slangy than やばい.
すごい技だね！
That move is sick!
Means 'cool' or 'stylish'. Often used for appearance or actions.
English speakers often say 'I'm sick' to mean nauseous, but in Japanese, 病気です (byouki desu) usually means you have a general illness, not necessarily nausea. Use 吐き気がする or 気持ち悪い for nausea.
Both mean 'not feeling well'. 具合が悪い is more common in daily conversation. 体調が悪い is slightly more formal and often used when explaining absence from work/school.
この天気にはうんざりだ。
I'm sick of this weather.
彼女は今日、病気で休みました。
She called in sick today.
あのトリックやばかった！
That trick was sick!
あの匂いでむかつく。
That smell makes me sick.
His behavior is sick (abnormal).
そのスケボーかっこいい！
That skateboard is sick!