1.
critical condition; on the verge of death
A medical state where a person's condition is extremely serious and death is imminent. Used specifically for life-threatening situations.
祖父が危篤だ。
My grandfather is in critical condition.
危篤の知らせを受けて病院に駆けつけた。
Upon receiving the news of the critical condition, I rushed to the hospital.
患者は一時危篤状態に陥ったが、その後回復した。
The patient fell into a critical condition at one point, but recovered afterward.
USAGE:
A serious medical term indicating imminent risk of death. When a family member is 危篤, it is socially expected in Japan to rush to the hospital immediately, and employers are expected to grant emergency leave. Often used with 状態: 危篤状態 (critical state).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 危篤状態 (critical state)
- 危篤に陥る (to fall into critical condition)
- 危篤の知らせ (news of someone being critically ill)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 重体: serious condition — severe but not necessarily terminal
- 重篤: grave condition — similar severity, more clinical
- 瀕死: on the verge of death — more dramatic/literary