危篤

• Reading: きとく
• Romaji: kitoku
• Kanji breakdown: 危 (ki) — danger, peril; 篤 (toku) — serious, grave (of illness)
• Pronunciation: /ki.to.kɯ/

Meaning

Critical condition; being on the verge of death. A grave medical state with little hope of recovery.

A noun describing a patient whose life is in imminent danger. Used in medical and family emergency contexts — 危篤状態 (critical condition), 危篤の知らせ (news that someone is critically ill). Emotionally heavy, it signals that death may be near and loved ones should come immediately.

Examples

1. 祖母が危篤だという連絡を受けて急いで病院に向かった。 I received word that my grandmother was in critical condition and rushed to the hospital.
2. 患者は危篤状態が続いており予断を許さない。 The patient remains in critical condition and the outlook is uncertain.
3. 危篤の知らせに家族全員が駆けつけた。 The whole family rushed over when they heard the news that he was critically ill.

Usage Guide

Context: medical, family, emergencies, news

Tone: grave

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 危 (ki, danger/perilous) + 篤 (toku, serious/grave, especially of illness). Literally 'dangerously grave' — a condition where the illness is critically severe.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal