Japanese word

病人

Pronunciation

Romajibyōnin

Meaning

  • nounpatient

Example

医者が病人を診ています。i sha ga byō nin o mi te i ma su

The doctor is examining the patient.

Illustration for 病人 (patient)

More examples

家族みんなで病人の世話をしています。ka zoku mi n na de byō nin no se wa o shi te i ma su

The whole family is taking care of the patient.

Core concept

Describes an ill person as someone receiving treatment or care because of that condition.

Common phrases

  • 病人を診るbyō nin o mi ru

    examine a patient

  • 病人の世話をするbyō nin no se wa o su ru

    take care of a sick person

  • 病人を看護するbyō nin o kan go su ru

    nurse a patient

Similar words

患者kanja: A person receiving medical examination or treatment for an illness or injury.
病者byōsha: A person who is ill, especially in formal or written language.

Definition in Japanese

病気やけがをして治療や看護を受けている人。byō ki ya ke ga o shi te chi ryō ya kan go o u ke te i ru hito

Word origin

病人 (byōnin) is a compound of 病 (byō, "illness") and 人 (nin, "person"), so its structure directly presents a person associated with illness.

Usage tips

  • English "patient" can also describe someone who is calm and able to wait, but 病人 (byōnin) has only the medical sense of a sick person.

Other meanings

  • sick personnoun

Opposites

  • 健康人kenkōninhealthy personnoun

Word lists with this word