Japanese word

発作

Pronunciation

Romajihossa

Meaning

  • nounseizure

Example

私は突然、発作を起こしました。watashi wa totsu zen hos sa o o ko shi ma shi ta

I suddenly had a seizure.

Illustration for 発作 (seizure)

More examples

家族が発作を起こしたときは、落ち着いて助けを呼びます。ka zoku ga hos sa o o ko shi ta to ki wa o chi tsu i te tasu ke o yo bi ma su

When a family member has a seizure, I stay calm and call for help.

Core concept

Refers to a sudden and often intense outbreak of symptoms caused by a physical or mental condition.

Common phrases

  • 発作を起こすhos sa o o ko su

    have a seizure

  • 発作を抑えるhos sa o osa e ru

    control a seizure

  • 発作の前兆hos sa no zen chō

    warning signs of a seizure

Definition in Japanese

病気によるけいれんや痛みなどの症状が急に起こること。また、その症状。byō ki ni yo ru ke i re n ya ita mi na do no shō jō ga kyū ni o ko ru ko to ma ta so no shō jō

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese word 発作 (hossa, "seizure") is formed from 発 (hatsu, "to arise") and 作 (saku, "to make"), whose sounds change when joined; the compound refers to symptoms that arise suddenly.

Usage tips

  • The Japanese noun 発作 (hossa) covers both seizures and other sudden attacks, including episodes related to asthma or panic, while English often names the condition more specifically.

Other meanings

  • attacknoun

Related words

  • 発作性hossaseiparoxysmalna-adjective

Word lists with this word