1.
poor physical condition; feeling unwell
A general term for not feeling well physically, often used as a reason for absence or cancellation.
体調不良で休みます。
I'm taking the day off because I'm not feeling well.
選手が体調不良のため試合を欠場した。
The athlete was absent from the match due to poor physical condition.
最近体調不良が続いているので、一度病院で診てもらったほうがいい。
Since you've been feeling unwell lately, you should get checked at a hospital.
Composed of 体調 (physical condition) + 不良 (poor, defective). This is the standard polite way to explain that someone is unwell, especially in workplace and formal contexts. It is deliberately vague — it does not specify the illness, which makes it useful when the person does not want to give details.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 体調不良で休む: to take time off due to illness
- 体調不良を訴える: to complain of feeling unwell
- 体調不良が続く: to continue feeling unwell
- 体調不良のため: due to poor health
- 体調不良を理由に: citing poor health as a reason
USAGE:
Very commonly seen in workplace emails, official announcements, and news reports. When a celebrity cancels an event, the reason is often announced as 体調不良.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 具合が悪い: feeling unwell — more casual, everyday expression
- 病気: illness, sickness — implies a specific diagnosed condition