リンパ

りんぱ
noun
lymph
1. lymph; lymphatic system
The clear fluid that circulates through the lymphatic system, carrying white blood cells and helping remove waste from tissues.
リンパ節(せつ)が腫(は)れている。
My lymph nodes are swollen.
リンパマッサージで老廃物(ろうはいぶつ)を流(なが)す。
Lymphatic massage helps flush out waste products.
リンパの流(なが)れを良(よ)くする。
Improve the flow of lymph.

リンパ refers to the lymphatic system or lymph fluid. From the Latin "lympha" (water). Always written in katakana.

Compounds

  • リンパ節(せつ): lymph node
  • リンパ腺(せん): lymph gland (older/colloquial term for リンパ節(せつ))
  • リンパ液(えき): lymph fluid
  • リンパ球(きゅう): lymphocyte
  • リンパ管(かん): lymphatic vessel
  • リンパマッサージ: lymphatic massage

Everyday use

Most commonly encountered when talking about swollen glands (リンパ節(せつ)が腫(は)れる) during illness, or in the context of リンパマッサージ, which is popular in Japanese beauty and health culture for reducing swelling and improving circulation.

Medical context

In medical settings, リンパ節(せつ) is the standard term. The older term リンパ腺(せん) is still widely used in everyday speech but is considered less precise.

general
Added 2026.1.17 6:25 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
06000/06009_rinpa