Translation guide
The English word 'sickbed' refers to the bed where a sick person lies, often implying a period of illness. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 病床 (byoushou), but depending on context, other terms like 病褥 (byoujoku) or phrases like 病の床 (yamai no toko) may be used. This guide helps learners choose the right expression.
To refer to the bed where someone is lying ill, in a neutral or general sense.
The standard, neutral term for a sickbed. Used in both spoken and written Japanese. Can refer to a hospital bed or a bed at home where someone is ill.
He was reading a book on his sickbed.
I visited my mother on her sickbed.
A slightly more literary or emotional expression, literally 'bed of illness'. Often used in writing or formal speech.
Even on his sickbed, he did not lose hope.
A formal, literary term for sickbed. Rarely used in everyday conversation. Often found in older texts or poetic contexts.
Days of lying on a sickbed continued.
To refer to a bed in a hospital where a patient stays.
To express the state of being bedridden due to illness.
病床 (byoushou) is the standard, everyday term. 病の床 (yamai no toko) is more literary and emotive. 病褥 (byoujoku) is very formal and rarely used outside of literature or historical contexts. For most situations, 病床 is the best choice.
Do not try to translate 'sickbed' as 病気のベッド (byouki no beddo) or 病気の床 (byouki no toko). These sound unnatural. Use the established terms above.
I'm resting in a hospital bed.
To one confined to a sickbed, even the arrival of spring felt distant.