JLPT N5 Speaking: Describing Simple Symptoms in Japanese

Introduction

The JLPT N5 focuses on basic communication, and one key area is being able to describe simple symptoms. This isn’t about diagnosing illnesses; it’s about expressing how you feel to a nurse or someone who can help. This article will give you practical phrases and examples you can use in realistic scenarios.

Key Vocabulary

• 頭 (atama): Head
• 目 (me): Eye
• 鼻 (hana): Nose
• 喉 (noko): Throat
• 体 (karada): Body
• 熱 (ne/): Fever
• 痛み (itami): Pain
• だるい (darui): Tired, weak
• 眠い (nemui): Sleepy
• くしゃみ (kuskami): Sneeze
• 咳 (seki): Cough

Useful Phrases

• 私は…です。 (Watashi wa … desu.): I am …
• 私は少し熱があります。(Watashi wa sukoshi ne ga arimasu.) – I have a slight fever.
• …が痛いです。 (… ga itai desu.): … hurts.
• 目が痛いです。(Me ga itai desu.) – My eyes hurt.
• 頭が痛いです。(Atama ga itai desu.) – My head hurts.
• 私は…っています。 (Watashi wa … to shite imasu.): I am feeling …
• 私はだるいです。 (Watashi wa darui desu.) – I feel tired/weak.
• 私は眠いです。(Watashi wa nemui desu.) – I feel sleepy.
• ちょっと…です。 (Chotto … desu.): It’s a little …
• ちょっと熱が出ました。 (Chotto ne ga demashita.) – I have a little fever.

Dialogue Examples

Scenario 1: At the Doctor’s Office

Doctor: こんにちは。(Konnichiwa – Hello)

You: こんにちは。私は少し熱があります。目が痛いです。 (Konnichiwa. Watashi wa sukoshi ne ga arimasu. Me ga itai desu.) – Hello. I have a slight fever. My eyes hurt.

Doctor: わかりました。(Wakarimashita – I understand)

Scenario 2: Telling a Friend

You: ねえ、今日ちょっと眠いです。 (Nee, kyou chotto nemui desu.) – Hey, today I feel a little sleepy.

Friend: え？ なんで？ (E? Nande?) – What’s wrong?

You: 特に何も…ただ眠いです。(Tokuni nani mo … tada nemui desu.) – Nothing in particular… I just feel sleepy.

Common Mistakes & Corrections

• Incorrect: 熱があります。 (Ne ga arimasu.) – This is correct, but often sounds more natural as “少し熱が出ました” (sukoshi ne ga demashita) – “I have a little fever”.
• Incorrect: 痛いです。(Itai desu.) – While technically correct to say ‘it hurts,’ adding ‘…が’ (…ga) after the symptom makes it more natural and grammatically sound.

Practice Tips

• Focus on using simple sentences. Don’t try to use complex grammar at this stage.
• Listen to native speakers and repeat phrases out loud.
• Role-play these scenarios with a friend or language partner.
• Start by practicing each individual phrase until you can say it confidently.

頑張って！ (Ganbatte! – Good luck!)