Translation guide
How to talk about a sore throat in Japanese, from casual complaints to medical descriptions.
I have a sore throat.
Expressing that your throat hurts or is sore in everyday conversation.
The most common and natural way to say 'I have a sore throat' or 'My throat hurts.'
My throat hurts and I can't speak.
I've had a sore throat since yesterday.
Describes a scratchy, irritated feeling in the throat, often from dryness or a mild cold.
The air is dry and my throat feels scratchy.
Indicates a stinging or burning pain in the throat, often from inflammation or overuse.
I shouted too much and my throat is stinging.
Medical term for 'pharyngalgia' or sore throat. Used in clinical contexts.
I have symptoms of pharyngalgia.
Specifying that the sore throat is due to a cold or infection.
Explaining that the throat is sore due to strain.
Directly says 'I used my voice too much and my throat hurts.'
I sang too much at karaoke and my throat hurts.
Means 'to hurt one's throat' or 'to strain one's throat.' Often used as a warning.
Describing pain when swallowing.
Specifically says 'it hurts when I swallow saliva.'
It hurts when I swallow, so eating is difficult.
A shorter way to say 'swallowing hurts.'
「喉が痛い」 is a general 'my throat hurts.' 「喉がイガイガする」 is more specific to a scratchy, tickly irritation, often from dryness or allergies, not necessarily a deep pain.
The English word 'sore' is not used in Japanese. Always use 痛い or an onomatopoeic expression like イガイガ.
My tonsils are swollen and it hurts even to swallow saliva.
If you force yourself to shout, you'll strain your throat.
Swallowing hurts and I can't take my medicine.