病院

• Reading: びょういん
• Romaji: byouin
• Kanji breakdown: 病 (byou/yamai) — illness; 院 (in) — institution, building
• Pronunciation: /bʲoː.iɴ/

Meaning

Hospital; clinic; doctor's office. A place where medical treatment is provided.

In Japan, 病院 technically refers to larger medical facilities with 20 or more beds, while smaller clinics are called 医院 or クリニック. However, in everyday conversation, 病院 is used broadly for any medical facility. Common expressions: 病院に行く (to go to the hospital/doctor) and 病院で働く (to work at a hospital).

Examples

1. 熱が高いので病院に行きます。 I have a high fever, so I'm going to the hospital.
2. 母は病院で看護師として働いています。 My mother works as a nurse at a hospital.
3. 近くにいい病院はありますか。 Is there a good hospital nearby?

Usage Guide

Context: health, directions, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 病 (byou, illness) and 院 (in, institution/building). Together they mean 'institution for illness,' i.e. a place where the sick are treated.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal