Essential Japanese Medical Travel Phrases for Solo Travelers

Japanese is the primary language spoken in Japan, and while medical staff in major cities may speak some English, this is not always the case. For solo travelers, knowing essential Japanese medical and emergency phrases can help you get assistance more quickly, explain symptoms clearly, and reduce stress in urgent situations.

🩺 Medical Emergencies (Immediate Help)

Help!
助けて！
Tasukete!
(tah-soo-keh-teh)

It’s an emergency
緊急です
Kinkyū desu
(keen-kyoo deh-soo)

I need help immediately
今すぐ助けが必要です
Ima sugu tasuke ga hitsuyō desu
(ee-mah soo-goo tah-soo-keh gah hee-tsoo-yoh deh-soo)

Call an ambulance
救急車を呼んでください
Kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai
(kyoo-kyoo-shah oh yohn-deh koo-dah-sigh)

I need a doctor
医者が必要です
Isha ga hitsuyō desu
(ee-shah gah hee-tsoo-yoh deh-soo)

🏥 Doctors, Hospitals, and Clinics

Where is the nearest hospital?
一番近い病院はどこですか？
Ichiban chikai byōin wa doko desu ka?
(ee-chee-bahn chee-kai byoh-een wah doh-koh deh-soo kah)

Is there a clinic nearby?
近くにクリニックはありますか？
Chikaku ni kurinikku wa arimasu ka?
(chee-kah-koo nee koo-ree-NEEK-koo wah ah-ree-mah-soo kah)

I need to see a doctor
医者に診てもらいたいです
Isha ni mite moraitai desu
(ee-shah nee mee-teh moh-rah-ee-tie deh-soo)

Do you speak English?
英語を話せますか？
Eigo o hanasemasu ka?
(ay-go oh hah-nah-seh-mah-soo kah)

🤕 Symptoms and Pain

I feel sick
気分が悪いです
Kibun ga warui desu
(kee-boon gah wah-roo-ee deh-soo)

I’m in pain
痛みがあります
Itami ga arimasu
(ee-tah-mee gah ah-ree-mah-soo)

It hurts here
ここが痛いです
Koko ga itai desu
(koh-koh gah ee-tie deh-soo)

I have a fever
熱があります
Netsu ga arimasu
(neh-tsoo gah ah-ree-mah-soo)

I feel dizzy
めまいがします
Memai ga shimasu
(meh-my gah shee-mah-soo)

I have trouble breathing
息が苦しいです
Iki ga kurushii desu
(ee-kee gah koo-roo-shee deh-soo)

💊 Medications and Allergies

I am allergic to [substance]
[物質]にアレルギーがあります
[Busshitsu] ni arerugī ga arimasu
(ah-reh-roo-gee gah ah-ree-mah-soo)

I need my medication
薬が必要です
Kusuri ga hitsuyō desu
(koo-soo-ree gah hee-tsoo-yoh deh-soo)

Do you have something for pain?
痛み止めはありますか？
Itamidome wa arimasu ka?
(ee-tah-mee-doh-meh wah ah-ree-mah-soo kah)

I need a pharmacy
薬局はどこですか？
Yakkyoku wa doko desu ka?
(yahk-kyoh-koo wah doh-koh deh-soo kah)

🚑 Accidents and Injuries

I fell down
転びました
Korobimashita
(koh-roh-bee-mah-shee-tah)

I’m bleeding
出血しています
Shukketsu shiteimasu
(shoo-keht-soo shee-teh-ee-mah-soo)

I burned myself
やけどをしました
Yakedo o shimashita
(yah-keh-doh oh shee-mah-shee-tah)

I think it’s broken
骨折したと思います
Kosshetsu shita to omoimasu
(koh-sseh-tsoo shee-tah toh oh-moh-ee-mah-soo)

🧠 Mental Health & Distress

I’m feeling very anxious
とても不安です
Totemo fuan desu
(toh-teh-moh foo-ahn deh-soo)

I’m having a panic attack
パニック発作があります
Paniku hossa ga arimasu
(pah-nee-koo hoh-sah gah ah-ree-mah-soo)

I need to calm down
落ち着く必要があります
Ochitsuku hitsuyō ga arimasu
(oh-chee-tsoo-koo hee-tsoo-yoh gah ah-ree-mah-soo)

🗂️ Medical History & Documents

I have a medical condition
持病があります
Jibyō ga arimasu
(jee-byoh gah ah-ree-mah-soo)

I have travel insurance
旅行保険に入っています
Ryokō hoken ni haitteimasu
(ryoh-koh hoh-kehn nee high-teh-ee-mah-soo)

Here is my prescription
これが処方箋です
Kore ga shohōsen desu
(koh-reh gah shoh-hoh-sen deh-soo)

🧾 Helpful Tip for Solo Travelers

📌 Save this page offline or take screenshots before traveling.
📌 Carry a translated list of allergies and medications in your wallet.
📌 In emergencies, show the phrase on your phone if pronunciation is difficult — it’s completely acceptable and often faster.

Disclaimer: This content is for travel communication only and does not replace professional medical advice or emergency services. In serious situations, seek immediate medical help.