Translation guide
A sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. In Japanese, the standard medical term is 梅毒 (ばいどく), but historical or colloquial terms exist.
The disease syphilis in a clinical or general context.
Standard medical and general term for syphilis. Used in all formal and informal contexts.
Syphilis can be treated with antibiotics.
I got tested for syphilis.
Loanword from English, used occasionally in medical contexts or when emphasizing the English term. Less common than 梅毒.
Cases of syphilis are increasing.
Older or slang terms for syphilis, often encountered in historical texts or literature.
Archaic term for syphilis, literally 'sore poison'. Rarely used today, mainly in historical contexts.
During the Edo period, syphilis was prevalent.
Variant kanji for 梅毒, using 黴 (mold) instead of 梅 (plum). Same reading, but considered non-standard and rarely used.
In modern Japanese, 梅毒 (ばいどく) is the standard word for syphilis in both medical and everyday conversation. The loanword ジフィリス is understood but less common. Avoid archaic terms unless discussing history.
黴毒は現在ほとんど使われない。
黴毒 is hardly used nowadays.