How to say “cold (illness)” in Japanese

風邪
かぜkaze
nounJLPT N5Body & health
The short answer

“Cold (illness)” in Japanese is 風邪 (かぜ), pronounced kaze.

Pronunciation

The word has 2 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:

How to use it

A cold. You “catch” it with : . Same sound as wind ().

Example sentences

  • 風邪を引きました。かぜをひきました。
    I caught a cold.
  • 風邪に気をつけてください。かぜにきをつけてください。
    Be careful not to catch a cold.

Quick practice

Test yourself0/3
  1. What does {{風邪}} mean?

  2. How do you read {{風邪}}?

  3. Which word means “head”?

FAQ

How do you say cold (illness) in Japanese?

Cold (illness) in Japanese is 風邪 (かぜ), pronounced “kaze”.

How do you write cold (illness) in Japanese?

It's written 風邪 with kanji, or かぜ in hiragana. Both are read kaze.

Is 風邪 on the JLPT?

Yes. 風邪 (kaze) is a common word at JLPT N5 level, so it's worth learning early.