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.
What they will ask you back
After you show your sentence, staff ask the same few questions — they have to. Find the question they asked, then show them your answer. Nobody has to speak.
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
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