About This Lesson
Use Describing Symptoms Objectively at a Clinic to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
不快感は軽いですが、いつもより長く続いています。
foo-KAI-kahn wa kah-ROO-ee deh-soo-gah, ee-tsoo-moh-yoh-ree nah-gah-koo tsoo-zoo-EE-teh-ee-MAHS. The discomfort is mild, but it has lasted longer than usual.
B
活動、休息、食事によって変わりますか。
kaht-soo-DOH, kyoo-SOH-koo, shoh-koo-jee nee-YOHT-teh kah-wah-ree-MAHS-kah? Does it change with activity, rest, or meals?
A
長時間座っていると、より気になります。
choh-jee-KAHN sah-TEH-ee-roo toh, yoh-ree kee-nee-NAH-ree-MAHS. I notice it more when I sit for a long time.
B
そのパターンは伝えておく価値がありますし、医療者が適切に評価できます。
soh-noh pah-TAHN wa tsoo-TAH-eh-teh oh-koo KAH-chee gah ah-ree-MAHS-shee, ee-ryoh-SHAH gah teh-SETS-koo-nee hyoh-KAH deh-kee-MAHS. That pattern is worth mentioning, and the clinician can assess it properly.
A
実際より深刻にも、深刻でないようにも聞こえないように説明しようとしています。
jee-SAI yoh-ree sheen-KOH-koo nee-moh, sheen-KOH-koo deh NAI YOH nee-moh kee-KOH-eh-NAI YOH nee set-soo-MAY SHEE-YOH toh shee-TEH-ee-MAHS. I am trying to describe it without making it sound worse or less serious than it is.
B
どのくらいの頻度で起こるか、そして自分にどのような影響があるかに集中してください。
doh-noh koo-RAI noh HEEN-doh deh oh-KOH-roo kah, soh-SHEE-teh jee-BUN nee doh-noh-YOH-nah eh-KYOH gah ah-roo kah nee shee-CHOO sheh-KOO-dah-SAI. Focus on how often it happens and how it affects you.
A
仕事中に集中しにくくなることを説明できます。
shee-GOH-toh-CHOO nee shee-CHOO shee-nee-KOO-koo-NAH-roo koh-toh oh set-soo-MAY deh-kee-MAHS. I can explain that it makes it harder to concentrate at work.
B
日常生活への影響がその後の対応の指針になることが多いので、その点も含めてください。
nee-chee-JOH seh-KAH-tsu eh-noh eh-KYOH gah soh-noh AH-toh noh tie-OH noh shee-SHEEN nee nah-ROO koh-toh gah oh-MOH-ee noh deh, soh-noh tehn moh foo-koh-MEH-teh-KOO-dah-SAI. Include that detail, since daily impact often guides follow-up.Word by Word
不快感
「不快感」 means discomfort or an unpleasant sensation in this dialogue. It is the topic being described at the clinic, as in 「不快感は」. This noun is useful when reporting a physical feeling objectively to a healthcare professional.
は
「は」 marks 「不快感」 as the topic of the statement. Here it sets up the description that the discomfort is mild. A common reuse pattern is noun + 「は」 + description.
軽い
「軽い」 means mild or not severe here, describing the discomfort. It is the plain adjective form before polite 「です」 in 「軽いですが」. This is useful when describing the intensity of a symptom without exaggerating it.
です
「です」 politely states the description 「軽い」. In 「軽いですが」, it is followed by 「が」 to connect to a contrasting point. A common reuse pattern is adjective or noun + 「です」 in polite statements.
が
「が」 connects the first statement to a contrasting statement and means but here. In 「軽いですが」, the discomfort is mild, but it has lasted longer than usual. This connective is useful when presenting two related facts politely.
いつも
「いつも」 refers to what is usual or normally the case. In 「いつもより」, it provides the standard for comparison. It is commonly used before 「より」 when comparing something with the usual situation.
より
「より」 means than or compared with in 「いつもより」. It marks the usual duration as the comparison point for 「長く」. A common reuse pattern is comparison standard + 「より」 + adjective or adverb.
長く
「長く」 means for a longer time here and modifies the idea of continuing in 「長く続いています」. It is the adverbial form of 「長い」 used before another verb. This pattern is useful for describing how long a condition or event continues.
続いて
「続いて」 expresses continuing and links to 「います」 in 「続いています」. Together, the construction says that the discomfort is still continuing. The te-form 「続いて」 commonly links an ongoing state to 「いる」.
います
「います」 completes 「続いています」 and politely describes the continuing state. Here it shows that the discomfort has continued up to now. A common reuse pattern is verb te-form + 「います」 for an ongoing situation.
活動
「活動」 means activity in the question about what may change the discomfort. It is one of the possible conditions compared with rest and meals. This noun can be used when discussing whether symptoms change during activity.
休息
「休息」 means rest in the question about factors that may affect the discomfort. It is listed alongside 「活動」 and 「食事」. This noun is useful when reporting whether a symptom changes when resting.
食事
「食事」 means meals or eating in this question. It names another condition that may be related to a change in the discomfort. This noun is useful in clinic conversations about symptoms in relation to meals.
によって
「によって」 means depending on in 「活動、休息、食事によって」, so the question asks whether the discomfort changes according to activity, rest, or meals. The 「に」 marks the condition, and 「よって」 forms the dependent relationship. A common reuse pattern is condition + 「によって」 + change or difference.
変わります
「変わります」 means changes here, referring to whether the discomfort changes under different conditions. It is a polite form used in the question 「によって変わりますか」. This verb is useful for asking whether a symptom varies with an activity or situation.
か
「か」 marks the preceding polite statement as a question in 「変わりますか」. It turns the question into a request for information about whether the discomfort changes. A common reuse pattern is polite form + 「か」 for a direct question.
長時間
「長時間」 means a long period of time. In 「長時間座っていると」, it describes how long the person remains seated. This noun is useful when explaining that a symptom appears after an extended period.
座って
「座って」 means sitting and links to 「いる」 in 「座っている」. Together, 「座っている」 describes remaining seated, while 「長時間」 gives the duration. The te-form commonly combines with 「いる」 to describe an ongoing action or state.
いる
「いる」 completes 「座っている」 and expresses the state of being seated. In 「座っていると」, that ongoing state is followed by 「と」 to describe when the discomfort becomes more noticeable. A common reuse pattern is verb te-form + 「いる」 for an ongoing state.
と
「と」 connects the condition 「長時間座っている」 with the result 「より気になります」. Here it means when or whenever that condition occurs. A common reuse pattern is condition + 「と」 + resulting or regularly observed outcome.
気になります
「気になります」 means becomes noticeable or bothersome here: the person notices the discomfort more after sitting for a long time. The construction 「気になる」 expresses something drawing attention or causing concern, and 「なります」 makes it polite. It is useful when reporting that a symptom is noticeable without making a medical judgment.
その
「その」 means that and points back to the pattern just described. In 「そのパターン」, it identifies the relationship between sitting for a long time and noticing the discomfort. A common reuse pattern is 「その」 + noun when referring to something already mentioned.
パターン
「パターン」 means pattern in 「そのパターン」, referring to the observed relationship between sitting and the discomfort. It presents the observation as a recurring or recognizable relationship. This word is useful when describing symptom timing or triggers objectively.
伝えて
「伝えて」 means tell or convey in 「伝えておく」. It links to 「おく」 to express telling the clinician in advance or making sure the information is conveyed. A common reuse pattern is information + 「を伝えておく」 when preparing someone with relevant details.
おく
「おく」 in 「伝えておく」 means to do something in advance or make sure it has been done. Here, the speaker recommends conveying the pattern before the clinician assesses it. The construction verb te-form + 「おく」 is useful for preparation.
価値
「価値」 means value or worth in 「伝えておく価値があります」. The phrase says that conveying the pattern is worthwhile. A common reuse pattern is verb plain form + 「価値がある」 for saying that an action is worth doing.
あります
「あります」 completes 「価値があります」 and politely states that the action has value. Here it supports the recommendation to tell the clinician about the pattern. A common reuse pattern is noun + 「があります」 when stating that something exists or has a quality.
し
「し」 adds another related point after 「価値があります」. In this sentence, it links the fact that the pattern is worth mentioning with the fact that the clinician can assess it properly. This connective is useful when listing supporting reasons or related statements.
医療者
「医療者」 means a healthcare professional or clinician. In this dialogue, it is the person who can properly assess the reported pattern. This noun is useful when referring generally to the professional receiving a symptom description.
適切
「適切」 means appropriate or proper in 「適切に評価できます」. It describes the manner in which the healthcare professional can assess the pattern. This word is useful when emphasizing that an assessment should be made appropriately rather than by self-diagnosis.
評価
「評価」 means assessment or evaluation in 「適切に評価できます」. Here it refers to the clinician’s professional assessment of the reported pattern. This noun is useful when discussing what a healthcare professional can assess.
できます
「できます」 means can or is able to in 「評価できます」. It states that the clinician has the ability to assess the pattern properly. A common reuse pattern is noun or verb stem + 「できます」 to express ability.
実際
「実際」 refers to actual reality in 「実際より」. It provides the standard against which the description may sound more or less serious. A common reuse pattern is 「実際より」 when comparing an impression with the real situation.
深刻
「深刻」 means serious in the two descriptions 「深刻にも」 and 「深刻でないようにも」. The speaker wants the explanation not to make the condition sound more or less serious than reality. This word is useful when carefully describing the seriousness of a problem.
に
「に」 helps form the state or manner 「深刻に」, meaning in a serious way or as serious. In 「深刻にも」, it is followed by 「も」 to include that possible impression. A common reuse pattern is adjective stem or noun + 「に」 when describing how something sounds or is done.
も
「も」 adds the meaning also or even in 「深刻にも」 and 「深刻でないようにも」. Here, the speaker includes both the possibility of sounding more serious and the possibility of sounding less serious. This particle is useful when presenting multiple included possibilities.
で
「で」 is the connective form of the copula in 「深刻でない」. It links 「深刻」 to the negative 「ない」, giving the meaning not serious. A common reuse pattern is noun or な-adjective + 「で」 + following description.
ない
「ない」 makes 「深刻でない」 negative, meaning not serious. In the dialogue, it appears inside 「深刻でないように」 to describe an impression that is less serious than reality. This form is useful for carefully stating what something should not sound like.
よう
「よう」 helps express the intended appearance or impression in 「深刻にも、深刻でないようにも聞こえない」. The construction describes how the explanation should or should not sound, rather than stating the medical condition itself. A common reuse pattern is plain clause + 「ように」 for a desired manner or result.
聞こえない
「聞こえない」 means does not sound or does not come across as in this dialogue. It refers to how the explanation is perceived, not to whether the speaker can physically hear. This form is useful when discussing the impression created by wording.
説明
「説明」 means explanation or description in 「説明しようとしています」. Here it refers to describing the symptom accurately to the clinician. This noun is useful in the pattern 「説明する」 when reporting facts or experiences.
しよう
「しよう」 is the volitional form of 「する」 in 「説明しようとしています」. With 「としています」, it expresses that the speaker is trying or intending to explain the symptom. A common reuse pattern is verb volitional form + 「とする」 for trying to do something.
して
「して」 is the te-form of 「する」 in the construction 「説明しようとしている」. It links the attempt expressed by 「しようと」 to the ongoing state expressed by 「います」. The exact construction is useful for describing an effort that is currently being made.
どのくらい
「どのくらい」 asks about degree, amount, or frequency; here it means how often. In 「どのくらいの頻度」, 「どの」 selects an unknown degree and 「くらい」 marks its extent. This expression is useful when asking a patient to quantify how often a symptom occurs.
の
「の」 links 「どのくらい」 to 「頻度」 in 「どのくらいの頻度」. It makes the phrase mean what frequency or how often. A common reuse pattern is quantity or degree + 「の」 + noun.
頻度
「頻度」 means frequency in 「どのくらいの頻度」. It asks how often the discomfort happens, which is information useful for describing symptoms objectively. This noun is useful when reporting repeated events or symptoms.
起こる
「起こる」 means happen or occur in 「起こるか」. It refers to the discomfort occurring, and 「か」 places that information inside the question. This verb is useful when describing when or how often an event or symptom occurs.
そして
「そして」 means and, then, or furthermore. It connects the question about frequency with the additional question about the effect on the person. This conjunction is useful when adding another related point in an explanation or instruction.
自分
「自分」 means oneself or the person speaking. In 「自分にどのような影響があるか」, it identifies the person who experiences the impact. This noun is useful when describing how a condition affects oneself.
どのような
「どのような」 means what kind of or what sort of in 「どのような影響」. 「どの」 asks which kind, and 「ような」 connects that description to 「影響」. This expression is useful when asking someone to describe the nature of an effect.
影響
「影響」 means impact or effect in 「自分にどのような影響があるか」. Here it refers to the way the discomfort affects the speaker’s daily functioning. This noun is useful when explaining consequences without making a diagnosis.
ある
「ある」 means exist or be present in 「影響がある」. The phrase 「影響がある」 means that there is an effect on the person. A common reuse pattern is noun + 「がある」 to state that something exists or is present.
集中
「集中」 means concentration or focus in the instruction to focus on frequency and impact. In 「集中してください」, it means direct your attention to those points. This noun is useful in the pattern 「集中する」 for directing attention to a task or topic.
ください
「ください」 makes 「集中してください」 a polite request meaning please focus. It is used here as guidance about what information to report. A common reuse pattern is te-form + 「ください」 for a polite request to do something.
仕事中
「仕事中」 means during work or while at work. In 「仕事中に集中しにくくなる」, it identifies the situation in which concentration becomes more difficult. This expression is useful when describing how a symptom affects work activities.
しにくく
「しにくく」 means difficult to do in 「集中しにくくなる」. It links the difficulty of concentrating to 「なる」, which describes becoming that way. A common reuse pattern is verb stem + 「にくい」 for something that is hard to do, with 「にくくなる」 for becoming difficult.
なる
「なる」 means become or get in 「集中しにくくなる」. It shows a change into a state where concentrating is more difficult. A common reuse pattern is adjective or adjective-like form + 「なる」 for describing a change of state.
こと
「こと」 turns the preceding situation 「集中しにくくなる」 into a noun-like fact or matter. In 「ことを説明できます」, that fact is the object being explained. This pattern is useful when explaining that an event or situation occurs.
を
「を」 marks 「集中しにくくなること」 as the object of 「説明できます」. It shows what the speaker can explain. A common reuse pattern is noun-like phrase + 「を」 + verb.
日常生活
「日常生活」 means daily life in 「日常生活への影響」. It identifies the broader area affected by the discomfort, beyond the clinic conversation. This noun is useful when describing how a condition affects ordinary routines.
へ
「へ」 marks direction or the area toward which something is directed. In 「日常生活への影響」, it links the impact to daily life and means impact on or toward daily life. A common reuse pattern is noun + 「への」 + noun when describing something directed at or related to a target.
その後
「その後」 means after that or subsequent in 「その後の対応」. Here it refers to what happens after the initial assessment or report. This expression is useful when discussing later steps or follow-up.
対応
「対応」 means response or follow-up action in 「その後の対応」. It refers to what is done afterward in response to the person’s symptoms and their effect on daily life. This noun is useful when discussing practical next steps.
指針
「指針」 means guideline or guiding basis in 「対応の指針」. The sentence says that daily impact often helps guide the later response. This noun is useful when describing information that helps determine appropriate next steps.
多い
「多い」 means frequent or often the case in 「指針になることが多い」. It says that daily impact often serves as a guide for follow-up, without saying that it always does. This adjective is useful for describing a tendency or recurring pattern.
ので
「ので」 means because or since in 「多いので」. It gives the reason for the request to include that detail. A common reuse pattern is plain clause + 「ので」 + request or result when explaining a reason politely.
点
「点」 means point or detail in 「その点も」. It refers to the detail about the impact on daily life. This noun is useful when referring to one particular aspect of an explanation.
含めて
「含めて」 means include it or include that point in 「その点も含めてください」. It is the te-form of 「含める」 and combines with 「ください」 to make a polite request. A common reuse pattern is item + 「を含めてください」 when asking someone to include a particular detail.
Grammar Points
AはBより〜です
不快感はいつもより軽いです。
foo-KAI-kahn wa ee-tsoo-moh-yoh-ree kah-ROO-ee deh-soo.The discomfort is milder than usual.
「より」は比較の基準を示します。「いつもより」は「than usual」という意味です。
〜にくくなる
仕事中は集中しにくくなる。
shee-GOH-toh-CHOO wa shee-CHOO shee-nee-KOO-koo-NAH-roo.It becomes harder to concentrate during work.
「にくい」は「hard to do」という意味で、「なる」と組み合わせると状態の変化を表します。
Japanese Vocabulary
いつもより
phrase
ee-tsoo-moh-yoh-ree
than usual
パターン
noun
pah-TAHN
pattern
活動
noun
kaht-soo-DOH
activity
気になります
verb
kee-nee-NAH-ree-MAHS
notice; be concerned about
休息
noun
kyoo-SOH-koo
rest
軽い
adj
kah-ROO-ee
mild
座っている
verb
sah-TEH-ee-roo
be sitting
食事
noun
shoh-koo-jee
meal; meals
続いています
verb
tsoo-zoo-EE-teh-ee-MAHS
has lasted; is continuing
長時間
noun
choh-jee-KAHN
a long time
伝えておく
verb
tsoo-TAH-eh-teh oh-koo
make sure to mention; tell in advance
不快感
noun
foo-KAI-kahn
discomfort
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
than usual
Show Answer
いつもよりhas lasted; is continuing
Show Answer
続いていますbe sitting
Show Answer
座っているnotice; be concerned about