危 篤(きとく)

きとく

noun, na-adjective

critical condition; on the verge of death

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(そふ)が危篤(きとく)だ。

My grandfather is in critical condition.

危篤(きとく)の知(し)らせを受(う)けて病院(びょういん)に駆(か)けつけた。

Upon receiving the news of the critical condition, I rushed to the hospital.

患者(かんじゃ)は一時(いちじ)危篤(きとく)状態(じょうたい)に陥(おちい)ったが、その後(ご)回復(かいふく)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(きとく), 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(じょうたい): 危篤(きとく)状態(じょうたい) (critical state).

Common collocations

危篤(きとく)状態(じょうたい) (critical state)
危篤(きとく)に陥(おちい)る (to fall into critical condition)
危篤(きとく)の知(し)らせ (news of someone being critically ill)

Similar words

重体(じゅうたい): serious condition — severe but not necessarily terminal
重篤(じゅうとく): grave condition — similar severity, more clinical
瀕死(ひんし): on the verge of death — more dramatic/literary

Related Words

Synonym: 重体(じゅうたい) (serious condition)

Compare: 重篤(じゅうとく) (grave condition)

Compare: 瀕死(ひんし) (on the verge of death)

general

Added 2026.3.16 9:43 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

17000/17108_kitoku