糖尿病

• Reading: とうにょうびょう
• Romaji: tounyoubyou
• Kanji breakdown: 糖 (tou) — sugar; 尿 (nyou) — urine; 病 (byou) — disease, illness
• Pronunciation: /toː.ɲoː.bʲoː/

Meaning

Diabetes; diabetes mellitus. A chronic metabolic disease characterised by high blood sugar levels.

A noun referring to the medical condition where the body cannot properly regulate blood glucose. In Japan, 糖尿病 is a major public health concern — roughly 1 in 6 adults is estimated to have or be at risk for the condition. The word is used both in medical contexts and everyday conversation. Often appears with 型 (type), as in 1型糖尿病 (Type 1) or 2型糖尿病 (Type 2).

Examples

1. 父は去年、糖尿病と診断された。 My dad was diagnosed with diabetes last year.
2. 糖尿病の予防には食事と運動が大切です。 Diet and exercise are important for preventing diabetes.
3. 祖母は糖尿病のため、甘いものを控えている。 My grandma avoids sweets because of her diabetes.

Usage Guide

Context: medical, health, daily life

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 糖 (tou, sugar) + 尿 (nyou, urine) + 病 (byou, disease). Literally 'sugar-urine disease' — named because excess sugar spills into the urine.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal