JLPT N3 body and health vocabulary covers 42 essential words — medical terminology, symptoms, and body-condition vocabulary needed for hospital visits, describing illness, and understanding health-related reading passages.

This article is part of our JLPT N3 Complete Vocabulary Guide. Practice all 42 words with the N3 Body & Health deck in Onigiri Anki.

Medical & Hospital Terms (10)

These words appear in N3 reading passages set in hospitals and clinics — essential vocabulary for medical situations in Japan.

symptom症状shoujou

症状が少しよくなりました。 — My symptoms got a little better.

treatment治療chiryou

この薬は治療に役立ちます。 — This medicine is useful for treatment.

medical examination診察shinsatsu

病院で診察を受けました。 — I received a medical examination at the hospital.

medical test検査kensa

病院で検査をしました。 — I had a medical test at the hospital.

pharmacy薬局yakkyoku

薬局で薬を買いました。 — I bought medicine at the pharmacy.

surgery手術shujutsu

手術は無事に終わりました。 — The surgery ended safely.

recovery回復kaifuku

彼女の回復は思ったより早いです。 — Her recovery is faster than I expected.

infection感染kansen

この病院では感染を防ぐ必要があります。 — We need to prevent infection in this hospital.

prevention予防yobou

手を洗うことは予防に大切です。 — Washing your hands is important for prevention.

ambulance救急車kyuukyuusha

救急車を呼びました。 — I called an ambulance.

Symptoms (10)

Symptom vocabulary lets you describe how you feel — critical for both real-life doctor visits and N3 listening comprehension.

headache頭痛zutsuu

今日は頭痛があります。 — I have a headache today.

stomachache腹痛fukutsuu

昼ごはんのあとで腹痛がありました。 — I had a stomachache after lunch.

nausea吐き気hakike

バスに乗っていると、吐き気がしました。 — I felt nauseous while riding the bus.

cough咳seki

咳が出ています。 — I have a cough.

dizzinessめまいmemai

立ち上がると、めまいがします。 — I feel dizzy when I stand up.

fracture骨折kossetsu

彼は事故で足を骨折しました。 — He broke his leg in the accident.

pain痛みitami

痛みが強くなっています。 — The pain is getting worse.

constipation便秘benpi

最近、便秘です。 — I have constipation these days.

runny nose鼻水hanamizu

かぜで鼻水が出ています。 — I have a runny nose because of my cold.

appetite食欲shokuyoku

暑さで食欲がなくなりました。 — I lost my appetite because of the heat.

Body & General Health (10)

These words cover general physical condition and body measurements — common across N3 health and lifestyle passages.

blood pressure血圧ketsuatsu

看護師が血圧を測りました。 — The nurse checked my blood pressure.

body temperature体温taion

体温が少し高かったです。 — My body temperature was a little high.

height身長shinchou

私の身長は父と同じです。 — My height is the same as my father's.

muscle筋肉kinniku

泳ぐと筋肉が強くなります。 — Swimming makes my muscles stronger.

skin皮膚hifu

冬は皮膚が乾燥します。 — My skin gets dry in winter.

health健康kenkou

健康が一番大切です。 — Good health is important.

physical condition体調taichou

今日は体調が悪いです。 — My physical condition is bad today.

shoulder肩kata

仕事のあとで肩がこります。 — My shoulders are stiff after work.

lower back腰koshi

長く座ると、腰が痛くなります。 — My lower back hurts after sitting for a long time.

life命inochi

命は大切です。 — Life is precious.

治療 vs 治す vs 治る: One Kanji, Three Meanings

治 (chi/naosu) means "to cure/heal." 治療 (chiryou) = treatment (the medical process, a noun). 治す (naosu) = to cure someone (transitive verb). 治る (naoru) = to get better/recover (intransitive verb). Recognizing this kanji pattern helps decode related N3 medical vocabulary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 診察 and 検査?

診察 (shinsatsu) is a medical examination/consultation — the doctor examines you and asks questions. 検査 (kensa) is a medical test — blood tests, X-rays, or other diagnostic procedures. You typically get 診察 first, then 検査 if needed.

How do I describe pain in Japanese?

Use body part + が + 痛いです (itai desu, hurts): 頭が痛いです (my head hurts). For ongoing pain, 痛み (itami) is used as a noun: 痛みがあります (there is pain).

Practice All 42 N3 Body & Health Words

Import the N3 Body & Health deck into Onigiri Anki and master medical vocabulary with spaced repetition.

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JLPT N3 Body & Health Vocabulary: 42 Essential Words (2026)