Japanese for Nursing Care Workers
Daily care, communicating with elderly residents, medical terms, and reporting — care facility Japanese.
Nursing care (kaigo) is one of Japan's fastest-growing fields for foreign workers. The work is deeply personal — you're helping people with daily life. Getting the language right isn't just professional, it's how you build trust with residents and their families.
Daily Care
おはようございます。体調はいかがですか？
Ohayou gozaimasu. Taichou wa ikaga desu ka?
Good morning. How are you feeling?
お着替えをお手伝いしますね。
Okigae wo otetsudai shimasu ne.
I'll help you change clothes.
お食事の時間ですよ。
Oshokuji no jikan desu yo.
It's time for your meal.
お薬の時間です。こちらをお飲みください。
Okusuri no jikan desu. Kochira wo onomi kudasai.
Time for your medicine. Please take this.
お風呂の準備ができましたよ。
Ofuro no junbi ga dekimashita yo.
The bath is ready for you.
Communication with Elderly
どこか痛いところはありますか？
Dokoka itai tokoro wa arimasu ka?
Does anything hurt?
ゆっくりで大丈夫ですよ。
Yukkuri de daijoubu desu yo.
Take your time, no rush.
手すりにつかまってくださいね。
Tesuri ni tsukamatte kudasai ne.
Please hold onto the handrail.
何かあったら、いつでも呼んでくださいね。
Nanika attara, itsudemo yonde kudasai ne.
If you need anything, call me anytime.
今日はいい天気ですね。
Kyou wa ii tenki desu ne.
Nice weather today, isn't it?
Medical Terms
血圧を測りますね。
Ketsuatsu wo hakarimasu ne.
I'll take your blood pressure now.
体温は36.5度です。
Taion wa sanjuuroku ten go do desu.
Your temperature is 36.5 degrees.
排泄の記録をお願いします。
Haisetsu no kiroku wo onegaishimasu.
Please record the bowel/urination log.
転倒に注意してください。
Tentou ni chuui shite kudasai.
Please be careful of falls.
褥瘡の確認をします。
Jokusou no kakunin wo shimasu.
I'll check for bedsores.
Reporting
〇〇さんの様子がいつもと違います。
[Name]-san no yousu ga itsumo to chigaimasu.
[Name] seems different from usual.
夜勤の申し送りをします。
Yakin no moushiokuri wo shimasu.
I'll do the night shift handover.
食事量が減っています。
Shokujiryou ga hette imasu.
Their food intake has decreased.
ご家族に連絡が必要です。
Gokazoku ni renraku ga hitsuyou desu.
We need to contact the family.
Cultural Tips
- Use gentle sentence endings like "ne" and "yo" when speaking to elderly residents. They make your Japanese sound warm and caring rather than clinical.
- Many elderly people in Japan grew up during a time when formality was extremely important. Even if they tell you to speak casually, maintain polite language (desu/masu form) — it shows respect.
- Physical contact norms differ. Always announce what you're about to do before touching a resident: "Kochira no ude wo sasaemasu ne" (I'll support this arm, okay?) — even if they can't respond verbally.
FAQ
What qualifications do I need for kaigo work in Japan?
The most common entry path is the Kaigo (Care Worker) visa, which requires passing the Kaigofukushishi exam or enrolling in a certified training program. JLPT N4 or higher is typically needed. Some EPA agreements offer special pathways for Filipino, Indonesian, and Vietnamese workers.
How can SayLy help in a care facility?
You can use SayLy to quickly translate what a resident is saying when you don't catch everything, prepare for family meetings by drafting reports in your language, or practice medical terminology during breaks.
With SayLy, just type in your language and send natural Japanese. No memorization needed.
Download on the App StoreFree to use. No account needed.
Related Guides
You might also find helpful
Understanding Keigo: Japanese Politeness Levels
The three pillars of Japanese polite speech — and how to actually use them.
Japanese Phrases for the Hospital
Everything you need from reception to pharmacy — in real Japanese.
Google Translate vs SayLy: Which Works Better in Japan?
A detailed comparison of Google Translate and SayLy for daily life in Japan. See