らい

noun

Hansen's disease; leprosy

Medical term for Hansen's disease. The word can be sensitive; in modern contexts, ハンセン病 is often preferred. The gloss 'leper' refers to a person with the disease, but this usage is dated and potentially offensive.

• らいは現げん在ざい、治ち療りょう可か能のうな病びょう気きです。

  Leprosy is now a treatable disease.

• 昔むかしは、らい患かん者じゃは隔かく離りされていました。

  In the past, leprosy patients were isolated.