NAATI CCL Japanese Health & Medical Practice Dialogues — Worked Examples
Japanese medical interpreting demands precision with kanji compounds like 診断書 (shindan-sho, medical certificate) and 処方箋 (shohou-sen, prescription) that pack dense clinical meaning into compact forms. Interpreters must navigate keigo registers when doctors use formal honorific speech toward patients, then shift to humble forms when patients describe symptoms. Katakana loanwords such as インフォームドコンセント (informed consent) and アレルギー (allergy) require careful pronunciation, while passive constructions like 検査を受けられます (you can receive an examination) demand restructuring into natural English active voice. The SOV word order means the verb — often carrying the critical medical instruction — arrives last, requiring interpreters to hold entire sentences in memory before rendering.
7 practice dialogues
GP Visit — Persistent Headaches
This dialogue is between a woman and a Doctor at a GP clinic. The woman has been experiencing persistent headaches for several weeks and is seeking medical advice.
Good morning. I can see from your file that you've been experiencing headaches for the past two weeks. Can you describe the pain for me?
Model interpretation
おはようございます。カルテによると、この2週間頭痛が続いているようですね。痛みの様子を教えていただけますか?
はい、先生。痛みは主に頭の右側にあります。朝に始まって、一日を通してひどくなります。めまいを感じることもあります。
Model interpretation
Yes, doctor. The pain is mostly on the right side of my head. It starts in the morning and gets worse throughout the day. Sometimes I also feel dizzy.
I see. Have you noticed any changes in your vision, or do you feel nauseous when the headaches are severe?
視界が少しぼやけることはありますが、吐き気はありません。パラセタモールを飲んでいますが、数時間しか効きません。
I'd like to run some tests, including a blood test and possibly a CT scan, just to rule out anything serious. I'll also refer you to a specialist if needed.
少し心配です。検査結果が出るまでどのくらいかかりますか?何か深刻なものではないかと心配しています。
The blood test results should be available within three days. The CT scan might take about a week. Please try not to worry — most headaches have simple causes like stress or tension.
ありがとうございます、先生。それまでの間、パラセタモールを飲み続けた方がいいですか?それとも、もっと強い薬をお勧めしますか?
You can continue with paracetamol for now, but don't exceed four grams per day. I'll also prescribe a mild anti-inflammatory that may help with the pain. Make sure you stay hydrated and get enough rest.
わかりました。帰りに受付で検査の予約をします。お時間いただきありがとうございます、先生。
One more thing — if your headaches suddenly become much worse, or you experience sudden vision loss or difficulty speaking, please go to the emergency department immediately.
そうします。アドバイスありがとうございます、先生。結果が出たら、フォローアップの予約に必ず来ます。
Emergency Room — Chest Pain
This dialogue is between a man and a Triage Nurse at an emergency department. The man has arrived with chest pain and tightness and the nurse is assessing his condition.
Hello, I'm the triage nurse. Can you tell me what brought you to the emergency department today?
Model interpretation
こんにちは、トリアージナースです。今日、救急外来にいらした理由を教えていただけますか?
今朝から胸が痛いんです。締め付けられるような重い感じで、何かが胸を圧迫しているようです。息切れもあります。
Model interpretation
I've been having chest pain since this morning. It feels tight and heavy, like something is pressing on my chest. I'm also short of breath.
On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate the pain? Does it spread to your arm, jaw, or back?
7くらいだと思います。痛みは左腕に広がります。汗も出ていて、ふらふらします。
Given your symptoms, we need to act quickly. I'm taking you to the treatment area immediately. We'll do an ECG and blood tests right away. Are you allergic to any medications?
いいえ、アレルギーはありません。ただ、毎日血圧の薬を飲んでいます。アムロジピンだったと思います。
Thank you. Is there anyone we should contact — a family member or next of kin?
はい、妻に電話してください。メイという名前で、電話番号は0412 345 678です。今は仕事中だと思います。
We're going to monitor your heart rhythm and give you some aspirin as a precaution. A doctor will see you within the next few minutes.
ありがとうございます。これは心臓発作ですか?本当に怖いです。
We won't know until we've done the tests. Try to stay calm and rest. The medical team will explain everything once they've assessed you.
わかりました。迅速に対応していただきありがとうございます。助かります。
Pharmacy — Prescription Medication
This dialogue is between a man and a Pharmacist. The man has come to fill a prescription for cholesterol medication and the pharmacist is explaining the dosage and side effects.
Good afternoon. I see you have a prescription here. Before I fill it, I need to ask a few questions. Is this medication for you?
Model interpretation
こんにちは。処方箋をお持ちですね。調剤する前にいくつかお聞きしたいことがあります。この薬はご本人用ですか?
はい、私のです。高コレステロールのために医者が処方しました。毎日飲む必要があると言われました。
Model interpretation
Yes, it's for me. My doctor prescribed it for high cholesterol. She said I need to take it every day.
This is atorvastatin, a statin medication. Take one tablet at night, preferably at the same time each day. Are you currently taking any other medications or supplements?
ビタミンDのサプリメントと、時々フィッシュオイルカプセルを飲んでいます。血圧の薬も飲んでいます。メトプロロールだったと思います。
There are no major interactions between those medications. However, avoid eating grapefruit while taking atorvastatin, as it can increase drug levels in your blood. Common side effects include muscle pain and digestive issues.
わかりました。グレープフルーツは完全にだめですか?筋肉痛が出たらどうすればいいですか?服用をやめた方がいいですか?
If you experience significant muscle pain, see your doctor before stopping the medication. Don't stop it on your own.
わかりました。いくらかかりますか?コンセッションカードを持っています。
With your concession card, the cost is seven dollars sixty for a month's supply. Would you like me to put it on your medication record?
はい、お願いします。次回のために助かります。
Your medication will be ready in about ten minutes. You can wait here or come back later. Do you have any other questions?
いいえ、大丈夫です。全部わかりやすく説明していただきありがとうございます。
Specialist Referral — Cardiologist
This dialogue is between a woman and a Cardiologist, Dr Chen. The woman has been referred by her GP for heart-related symptoms and is undergoing specialist assessment.
Good morning. I'm Dr Chen, the cardiologist. Your GP referred you because of some abnormal results in your recent ECG. How have you been feeling?
Model interpretation
おはようございます。循環器科のチェン医師です。最近の心電図に異常が見られたため、かかりつけ医から紹介されました。体調はいかがですか?
だいたい大丈夫ですが、たまに理由もなく心臓がドキドキすることがあります。夜やリラックスしているときに起こることが多いです。
Model interpretation
I've been okay mostly, but I sometimes feel my heart racing for no reason. It usually happens at night or when I'm resting.
How long do these episodes last, and how often do they occur?
5分から10分くらい続いて、週に2、3回起きます。約2か月前から始まりました。
I'd like to perform an echocardiogram today — an ultrasound of your heart. It shows how your heart is functioning. We may also fit a Holter monitor to record your rhythm over twenty-four hours.
心エコー検査は痛いですか?ホルターモニターのために入院する必要がありますか?
No, the echocardiogram is completely painless — it's just like a regular ultrasound. The Holter monitor is a small device you wear home and return the next day.
安心しました。父に心臓の問題があったので、とても不安でした。
Family history is important, and it's good that you're getting this checked. We'll have a much clearer picture after these tests. In the meantime, avoid caffeine and alcohol.
毎日コーヒーを2、3杯飲んでいます。完全にやめた方がいいですか?
Try to reduce it to one cup in the morning at most. Caffeine can trigger the palpitations you've been experiencing. I'll also check your thyroid function, as that can sometimes cause similar symptoms.
ありがとうございます、チェン先生。すべての検査結果はいつ出ますか?
Mental Health — Counselling Session
This dialogue is between a man and a Counsellor at a mental health session. The man has been dealing with stress and anxiety, and this is a follow-up counselling session.
Welcome back. How have you been since our last session? I remember you were going through a difficult time at work.
Model interpretation
お帰りなさい。前回のセッションから調子はいかがですか?職場で大変な時期を過ごしていたと覚えています。
辛い数週間でした。上司と口論になり、今は何にも集中できません。よく眠れていません。
Model interpretation
It's been a tough couple of weeks. I got into an argument with my manager, and now I feel like I can't concentrate on anything. I'm not sleeping well either.
I'm sorry to hear that. When you say you can't concentrate, can you give me an example of how that's affecting your daily life?
いろいろ忘れてしまいます。予約や締め切りとか。昨日は子供たちを学校に迎えに行くのを忘れてしまいました。完全に時間を見失っていたんです。
That must have been very stressful. It sounds like the anxiety from work is spilling over into other areas of your life. Have you had any thoughts of harming yourself?
いいえ、そういうことはありません。ただ圧倒されて疲れ切っている感じです。時々、物事が良くなるのか疑問に思います。
Those feelings are very common when we're under prolonged stress. I'd like to teach you some breathing techniques that can help manage the anxiety in the moment. Would you be open to that?
はい、何でも試してみます。妻は薬が必要かもしれないと言っています。必要だと思いますか?
That's something your GP can assess. I can write a letter recommending a review if you'd like. In the meantime, let's focus on some practical strategies. How much exercise are you getting?
ほとんどしていません。以前は週3回ジムに通っていましたが、何か月も行っていません。
Getting back to some form of regular exercise, even just a thirty-minute walk each day, can significantly improve sleep and reduce anxiety. Let's set that as a goal for this week.
わかりました、毎朝仕事の前に散歩するようにします。ありがとうございます。話しただけでも少し気持ちが楽になりました。
Dental Appointment — Toothache
This dialogue is between a man and a Dentist. The man has come in with a toothache and the dentist is diagnosing the problem and explaining treatment options.
Good morning. I can see from your notes that you're here for a toothache. Can you point to where the pain is?
Model interpretation
おはようございます。記録を見ると、歯痛でいらしたようですね。痛い場所を指していただけますか?
右下のこの歯です。約1週間前から痛くて、特に冷たいものを食べたり飲んだりすると痛みます。
Model interpretation
It's this tooth here on the lower right. It's been hurting for about a week, especially when I eat or drink something cold.
Let me take a look. I'm going to use this mirror and probe to examine the area. You might feel some pressure. When did you last visit a dentist?
たぶん3年くらい前です。もっと頻繁に来るべきだとわかっていますが、仕事が忙しくて。
There's a large cavity in your lower right molar. The decay has gone deep, causing the sensitivity. We'll need an X-ray to see if the nerve is affected.
根管治療が必要かもしれないということですか?友人がやったことがあって、とても痛かったと言っていました。
Let's wait for the X-ray results before deciding treatment. Root canals today are much more comfortable than before. We use local anaesthetic, so you shouldn't feel pain.
治療費はいくらですか?民間の健康保険には入っていません。
A filling would be around two hundred dollars, and a root canal with a crown can range from one thousand to two thousand dollars. We do offer payment plans if that helps.
思ったより高いですね。もっと安い選択肢はありますか?
If the X-ray shows the nerve isn't damaged, a filling should be sufficient and much more affordable. Let's take the X-ray first and then discuss your options.
わかりました、レントゲンを撮りましょう。とにかく痛みを止めたいです。
Physiotherapy Assessment — Back Injury
This dialogue is between a man and a Physiotherapist. The man has been referred for lower back pain treatment and is having his initial assessment.
Hi there. I'm your physiotherapist. I understand you've been referred for lower back pain following a workplace injury. Can you tell me what happened?
Model interpretation
こんにちは、理学療法士です。労災による腰痛で紹介されたと聞いています。何があったか教えていただけますか?
約3週間前に職場で重い箱を持ち上げていたら、腰に鋭い痛みを感じました。それからずっと治りません。
Model interpretation
I was lifting a heavy box at work about three weeks ago, and I felt a sharp pain in my lower back. It hasn't gone away since.
On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate the pain right now? And does it travel down either of your legs?
今は5くらいですが、前かがみになったり長時間座ると8くらいになります。左足にしびれを感じることがあります。
The tingling could indicate nerve involvement. I'm going to do some physical assessments now — I'll ask you to do some movements and I'll check your reflexes. Please tell me if anything causes sharp pain.
わかりました。労災補償の申請が承認されたので、治療費はカバーされていることをお伝えしておきます。
That's good to know. Based on my initial assessment, I'd recommend twice-weekly sessions for the next six weeks. We'll focus on strengthening your core muscles and improving flexibility.
自宅でもエクササイズをする必要がありますか?
Absolutely. Home exercises are essential for recovery. I'll give you a printed sheet with five simple exercises to do daily. They should only take about fifteen minutes.
雇用主はできるだけ早く復帰してほしいと言っています。いつ頃復帰できそうですか?
It depends on your role. Light duties might be possible in two to three weeks. I'll prepare a return-to-work plan and communicate with your employer's injury management team.
ありがとうございます。この状況全体でとてもストレスを感じていたので、計画があると安心します。
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