Should I memorize these phrases or print them?

Printing and laminating a small card with the most critical phrases — 'Call an ambulance,' your address, blood type, and allergy information — is more reliable than trying to recall phrases under stress. Keep one in your wallet.

Will Japanese medical staff understand if I speak slowly in English?

Many Japanese medical professionals have studied English but may have limited spoken conversational ability. Speaking slowly, using simple words, and pointing to body locations significantly aids communication. Written English is often better understood than spoken English in medical settings.

What if I need to describe symptoms I don't have a phrase for?

Point to the affected area, mime the sensation where possible, and use numbers (1–10 for pain scale) and single words. Showing symptoms is often more effective than describing them in a foreign language. Screenshots from a translation app showing the Japanese phrase can also help in non-urgent moments.

Are there emergency communication apps for Japan?

MHLW and some prefecture health bureaus have published multilingual emergency guide apps. JNTO also makes medical phrase cards available. Google Translate's camera mode can read Japanese signs in real time and may assist in reading information posted in hospital emergency departments.

Emergency

Emergency Medical Phrasebook for Japan

Essential Japanese phrases for medical emergencies — what to say when calling 119, describing symptoms, and communicating at an emergency department without an interpreter.

Who this is for

Foreign residents and visitors in Japan who may need to communicate medical information in Japanese during an emergency when no interpreter is available.

Critical phrases for calling 119

When calling 119, the dispatcher needs your location and the nature of the emergency. Delivering these clearly in Japanese significantly speeds up dispatch.

Situation	Japanese	Romaji
Calling an ambulance	救急車を呼んでください	Kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai
Location	住所は[address]です	Jūsho wa [address] desu
Someone is unconscious	意識がありません	Ishiki ga arimasen
Someone is not breathing	呼吸していません	Kokyū shite imasen
There is a lot of bleeding	大量に出血しています	Tairyō ni shukketsu shite imasu
I need help	助けてください	Tasukete kudasai

Describing your location

Location is the most critical information in an emergency call. If you know your address: say it as “[Address number] [Street], [District], [City].” If you are near a landmark: “コンビニの前です” (Konbini no mae desu — In front of the convenience store). If you are in a building: “[Building name] no [floor number] kai desu.”

Common symptom phrases

These phrases can be spoken to emergency department staff or used to communicate with anyone assisting you:

English	Japanese	Romaji
I have chest pain	胸が痛いです	Mune ga itai desu
I cannot breathe	息ができません	Iki ga dekimasen
I have stomach pain	腹痛があります	Fukutsū ga arimasu
My head hurts severely	頭がひどく痛いです	Atama ga hidoku itai desu
I feel dizzy	めまいがします	Memai ga shimasu
I feel nauseous	吐き気がします	Hakike ga shimasu
I vomited blood	血を吐きました	Chi o hakimashita
I had a fall	転倒しました	Tentō shimashita
I cannot move my [arm/leg]	腕/足が動きません	Ude/ashi ga ugokimasen
I have an allergic reaction	アレルギー反応が出ています	Arerugī hannō ga dete imasu

Pain communication

The pain scale (1–10) is understood in Japanese medical settings. Hold up fingers or say: “Itami wa [number] desu” (痛みは[数字]です — My pain level is [number]).

Medical history phrases

Communicating your medical history to emergency staff:

English	Japanese	Romaji
I am allergic to [X]	[X]アレルギーがあります	[X] arerugī ga arimasu
I am taking [medication]	[薬]を飲んでいます	[Kusuri] o nonde imasu
I have [condition]	[病名]があります	[Byōmei] ga arimasu
I am pregnant	妊娠しています	Ninshin shite imasu
My blood type is [A/B/O/AB]	血液型は[A/B/O/AB]型です	Ketsueki-gata wa [A/B/O/AB]-gata desu

Prepare before you need it

Print this card and carry it in your wallet: your name, blood type, known allergies, current medications, and an emergency contact number. Laminate it if possible. In the worst moments, having written Japanese is far more reliable than recalled phrases.

Last reviewed: September 2026

Key terms

English	Japanese	Romaji
Help me / emergency	助けてください / 緊急です	Tasukete kudasai / Kinkyū desu
Call an ambulance	救急車を呼んでください	Kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai
Where does it hurt?	どこが痛いですか	Doko ga itai desu ka
I cannot breathe	息ができません	Iki ga dekimasen
Chest pain	胸が痛い	Mune ga itai
Allergic reaction	アレルギー反応	Arerugī hannō
I am unconscious	意識がありません	Ishiki ga arimasen
Blood type	血液型	Ketsueki-gata

Common questions

Should I memorize these phrases or print them?: Printing and laminating a small card with the most critical phrases — 'Call an ambulance,' your address, blood type, and allergy information — is more reliable than trying to recall phrases under stress. Keep one in your wallet.
Will Japanese medical staff understand if I speak slowly in English?: Many Japanese medical professionals have studied English but may have limited spoken conversational ability. Speaking slowly, using simple words, and pointing to body locations significantly aids communication. Written English is often better understood than spoken English in medical settings.
What if I need to describe symptoms I don't have a phrase for?: Point to the affected area, mime the sensation where possible, and use numbers (1–10 for pain scale) and single words. Showing symptoms is often more effective than describing them in a foreign language. Screenshots from a translation app showing the Japanese phrase can also help in non-urgent moments.
Are there emergency communication apps for Japan?: MHLW and some prefecture health bureaus have published multilingual emergency guide apps. JNTO also makes medical phrase cards available. Google Translate's camera mode can read Japanese signs in real time and may assist in reading information posted in hospital emergency departments.

Sources