Describe your pain in Japanese
Japanese describes pain with sound words, and doctors really do ask which one fits. English has 'throbbing' vs 'stabbing' — Japanese has a whole vocabulary.
Find the row that matches your sensation, then SHOW the big Japanese phrase to the doctor or pharmacist while pointing at the body part.
Types of pain
- ズキズキzuki-zuki
Throbbing, pulsing pain — beats like your heartbeat. Headache, toothache, wounds.
Show thisズキズキ痛みます - ガンガンgan-gan
Pounding, hammering — usually a bad headache.
Show this頭がガンガンします - キリキリkiri-kiri
Sharp, stabbing, cramping — very often stomach pain.
Show thisキリキリ痛みます - シクシクshiku-shiku
Dull, nagging ache that lingers — mild stomach or belly pain.
Show thisシクシク痛みます - チクチクchiku-chiku
Prickling, like little needles.
Show thisチクチクします - ヒリヒリhiri-hiri
Burning, stinging — sunburn, scrapes, sore throat.
Show thisヒリヒリします - ジンジンjin-jin
Deep tingling throb, half-numb — after a knock, or as feeling returns.
Show thisジンジンします - ズーンzūn
Dull, heavy, pressing pain.
Show thisズーンと重く痛みます - 締め付けられるshime-tsukerareru 119
Squeezing, crushing tightness. If this is in your CHEST, show this phrase and get emergency care now (call 119).
Show this胸が締め付けられるように痛みます
Stomach, throat & breathing
- ムカムカmuka-muka
Queasy, nauseous — like you might vomit.
Show this胃がムカムカします（吐き気） - ゴロゴロgoro-goro
Rumbling, churning belly or bowels.
Show thisおなかがゴロゴロします - イガイガiga-iga
Scratchy, irritated throat.
Show thisのどがイガイガします - ゼーゼーzē-zē
Wheezing — breathing with a whistling, rasping sound.
Show this息がゼーゼーします
Dizziness & whole body
- クラクラkura-kura
Lightheaded, faint — about to lose your balance.
Show thisクラクラします - グルグルguru-guru
Spinning vertigo — the room rotates around you.
Show this目がグルグル回ります - フラフラfura-fura
Unsteady, wobbly, weak on your feet.
Show thisフラフラします - ゾクゾクzoku-zoku
Chills, shivers — often when a fever is starting.
Show this寒気がゾクゾクします - ムズムズmuzu-muzu
Itchy, tickling, restless feeling.
Show thisムズムズします