1.
chronic illness; chronic disease
A disease or medical condition that persists over a long period of time, as opposed to an acute condition. Includes conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and asthma.
慢性病の治療を続ける。
To continue treatment for a chronic illness.
糖尿病は代表的な慢性病の一つだ。
Diabetes is one of the most typical chronic diseases.
高齢化に伴い、慢性病を抱える患者が増えている。
With the aging population, the number of patients suffering from chronic illnesses is increasing.
A compound of 慢性 (chronic) and 病 (illness, disease). Describes any medical condition that develops slowly and persists for months or years, requiring ongoing management rather than a one-time cure.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 慢性病を抱える: to suffer from a chronic illness
- 慢性病の予防: prevention of chronic disease
- 慢性病の治療: treatment of chronic illness
- 慢性病と付き合う: to live with a chronic illness
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 慢性疾患: chronic disease — a more formal and medical term; 慢性病 is more accessible to general audiences
- 持病: chronic condition, ongoing ailment — refers specifically to a condition someone has been living with; more personal and less clinical
- 生活習慣病: lifestyle disease — a subset of chronic diseases caused by lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise
CULTURAL NOTE:
Japan's universal health insurance system (国民健康保険) provides coverage for chronic illness management, making regular treatment accessible. Annual health checkups (健康診断) are widely practiced to detect chronic conditions early.