重篤(じゅうとく)

じゅうとく
na-adjective
serious; critical; grave (of illness)
1. serious; critical; grave (of a medical condition)
A medical term describing an extremely severe condition where the patient's life may be in danger. More severe than 重症(じゅうしょう) (serious illness).
患者(かんじゃ)は重篤(じゅうとく)な状態(じょうたい)にある。
The patient is in critical condition.
重篤(じゅうとく)な副作用(ふくさよう)が報告(ほうこく)された。
Serious side effects were reported.
感染症(かんせんしょう)が重篤(じゅうとく)になる前(まえ)に、早(はや)めに治療(ちりょう)を始(はじ)めることが大切(たいせつ)だ。
It is important to begin treatment early before the infection becomes critical.

A formal medical term indicating the most severe level of illness. Frequently encountered in news reports about health crises, drug safety, and patient outcomes.

SEVERITY SCALE:

Japanese medical terminology uses a scale of increasing severity:

  • 軽症(けいしょう): mild (condition)
  • 中等症(ちゅうとうしょう): moderate
  • 重症(じゅうしょう): serious, severe
  • 重篤(じゅうとく): critical, life-threatening (the most severe)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 重篤(じゅうとく)な状態(じょうたい): critical condition
  • 重篤(じゅうとく)な副作用(ふくさよう): serious side effects
  • 重篤(じゅうとく)な合併症(がっぺいしょう): serious complications
  • 重篤(じゅうとく)患者(かんじゃ): critically ill patient

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 重症(じゅうしょう): serious illness — severe but not necessarily life-threatening
  • 危篤(きとく): on the verge of death — even more severe; imminent death
  • 深刻(しんこく): serious, grave — used more broadly for situations, not just medical
general
Added 2026.4.3 4:21
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