Japanese · Body & Health
病院
byouin
Hospital
Beginnernoun
Definition
A medical institution. Japan has universal healthcare and hospitals are widely accessible. Not to be confused with 美容院 (biyouin, beauty salon), which sounds similar.
Example
熱があるので病院に行きます。
I have a fever so I am going to the hospital.
Etymology
The word '病院' (byouin) combines '病' (byou), meaning 'illness', and '院' (in), meaning 'institution', reflecting the functional purpose of a hospital in society.
How & Where It’s Used
'病院' (byouin) is a formal term used predominantly in medical contexts, extending to everyday conversations about health in all regions of Japan.