The Meaning of shinsatsu [診察] In Japanese

診察
しんさつ
Romaji: shinsatsu N4

What does 診察 mean?

Translation and Meaning

medical examination, medical consultation, check-up

Definition

診察 means a medical examination performed by a physician in a clinical setting to assess health and determine treatment options. It encapsulates the doctor-patient visit, including observation, questioning, and planning of care.

Type

Noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Formal medical evaluation by a doctor during a clinic or hospital visit
  • An appointment for medical consultation and discussion of symptoms
  • Part of patient assessment that leads to diagnosis and treatment planning

Etymology

診 (on’yomi shin) + 察 (on’yomi satsu) → shinsatsu

Composition

  • 診: to inspect, examine; 察: to perceive, notice; together denote the act of a physician inspecting a patient

Usage

Used in formal medical contexts to describe the act of examining a patient; common in clinics and hospitals; can appear in phrases like 診察を受ける, 診察室, 初診の診察, 再診の診察; appropriate for health or medical discussions, both spoken and written.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: in a clinic, a doctor uses inspection (shin) and perception (satsu) to check your health; visualize the doctor shining a light and noting details to remember the term

Variations

  • 診療 shinryou: medical examination and treatment
  • 受診 jushin: going to a doctor for consultation
  • 検査 kensa: tests often accompanying 診察

Example Phrases

  • 今日は診察の待ち時間が長い。
    Kyou wa shinsatsu no machijikan ga nagai.
    The wait time for the medical examination today is long.
    Lista:
    • 今日は (Kyou wa) – today
    • 診察 (shinsatsu) – medical examination
    • の (no) – of / possessive marker
    • 待ち時間 (machijikan) – waiting time
    • が (ga) – subject marker
    • 長い (nagai) – long
    In this sentence, 「診察」 is a noun meaning medical examination; it forms 「診察の待ち時間」 meaning ‘the waiting time for the medical examination’.
診察