内科

• Reading: ないか
• Romaji: naika
• Kanji breakdown: 内 (nai) — inside, internal; 科 (ka) — department, branch, section
• Pronunciation: /na.i.ka/

Meaning

Internal medicine. The medical specialty dealing with non-surgical treatment of diseases.

A noun referring to the department of internal medicine at a hospital or clinic. In Japan, 内科 is the most commonly visited department — it handles colds, flu, stomach problems, chronic diseases, and general check-ups. The opposite is 外科 (geka, surgery). Clinics often display 内科 on their signs, and it is one of the first medical terms learners encounter.

Examples

1. 風邪がなかなか治らないので、内科を受診した。 My cold wouldn't get better, so I went to see an internal medicine doctor.
2. この病院の内科は予約制です。 The internal medicine department at this hospital requires an appointment.
3. 内科の先生に血圧が高いと言われた。 The internist told me my blood pressure was high.

Usage Guide

Context: hospitals, clinics, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 内 (nai, inner/internal) + 科 (ka, department/branch). Literally 'inner department' — medicine treating internal organs without surgery.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal