Welcome to Episode 44 of Real Japanese Talk with Haruka & Saki! 🗼🐙

Saki's foreign friend went to a Japanese doctor for a headache, said "head pain," and froze when the doctor asked "What KIND of pain?" Welcome to one of the most unique features of Japanese medicine: doctors expect you to describe your pain through ONOMATOPOEIA. Saying "it hurts" isn't enough — you need to specify "zukizuki" (throbbing), "chikuchiku" (pricking), "hirihiri" (burning), or one of many others. This is a make-or-break skill for foreigners living in Japan. Today Haruka and Saki run through the essential pain onomatopoeia with a full doctor-patient roleplay covering headaches AND sore throats.

Three target words today: ズキズキ (zukizuki, throbbing pulsing pain — for headaches, toothaches, swollen injuries), チクチク (chikuchiku, pricking like a needle — for sore throats, skin irritation, itchy sweaters), and 症状 (shōjō, "symptoms" — the critical word doctors will ask you to describe).

PLUS the bonus pain onomatopoeia: ヒリヒリ (hirihiri, burning — sunburns, scrapes, spicy food), ジンジン (jinjin, dull aching numbness — bruises, nerve pain), キリキリ (kirikiri, sharp twisting — stomach pain, stress). Master these and your Japanese doctor visits become 10x more effective. The third onomatopoeia episode after Ep.23 (Fatigue) and Ep.27 (Texture) — the practical onomatopoeia series continues!

【Today's Vocabulary / 今日の言葉】

・ズキズキ (ずきずき) - Onomatopoeia describing pulsing, repetitively-strong pain that throbs like a heartbeat. Equivalent to English "throbbing" or "pulsing pain." The feeling of waves of 「ズキッ、ズキッ」 in rhythm with your heartbeat. One of the most frequently used pain onomatopoeia in Japanese medical settings — used for headaches, toothaches, swollen injuries, and inflammation that pulses from within. Used as 「頭がズキズキする」 (my head is throbbing), 「歯がズキズキ痛む」 (my tooth is throbbing), 「傷口がズキズキする」 (the wound is throbbing). Japanese doctors classically ask patients 「どんな痛みですか？ズキズキしますか？」 (What kind of pain? Is it throbbing?). For foreigners visiting Japanese doctors, just knowing this onomatopoeia makes consultations dramatically smoother.

・チクチク (ちくちく) - Onomatopoeia describing small, repetitive pain like being pricked by a needle. Equivalent to English "pricking" or "prickling." The sensation of sharp, small stimuli in succession. Versatile — used not only for pain but also for tactile sensations. Concrete uses: ①sore throat during cold onset 「喉がチクチクする」, ②insect bites or skin irritation 「肌がチクチクする」, ③fabric texture like wool sweaters 「セーターがチクチクする」, ④psychological pain like guilt 「胸がチクチクする」. Essential vocabulary in medical settings for conveying mild pain or early symptoms. Best learned in contrast with 「ズキズキ」 (throbbing strong pain) — the contrast makes both stick.

・症状 (しょうじょう) - The manifestation of an illness or injury — the abnormal state appearing in the body. Equivalent to English "symptom." Essential medical vocabulary — doctors, nurses, and pharmacists classically ask patients 「症状を教えてください」 (please tell me your symptoms). Japanese medical practice combines symptom description with onomatopoeia (zukizuki, chikuchiku) for specificity. Used as 「症状が出る」 (symptoms appear), 「症状を訴える」 (complain of symptoms), 「症状が悪化する」 (symptoms worsen), 「症状が和らぐ」 (symptoms ease). Absolutely essential vocabulary for foreigners visiting Japanese clinics. Even pharmacists often ask 「どんな症状ですか？」 (What are your symptoms?) when buying over-the-counter medicine.

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