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How to Say ‘I am sick’ in Japanese

私は病気です

わたくしはびょうきです

💬 Usage Tip: Pronounced (wa-ta-shi-wa-byo-ki-desu), indicates illness.

🇯🇵 In Japan: Important to communicate if feeling unwell, especially in public settings.

Word-by-Word Breakdown

わたくし

[watakushi]

I

Refers to oneself.

Example

私はねこが好きです。

I like cats.

[wa]

topic marker

Marks the topic of the sentence.

Example

今日は暑い。

Today is hot.

病気びょうき

[byouki]

illness

Refers to being sick or having a disease.

Example

彼は病気で寝ている。

He is sick and lying in bed.

ですです

[desu]

(polite ending)

A copula for polite statements.

Example

これはペンです。

This is a pen.

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