疫

epidemic; disease

Kanji 1019

Learn Japanese words for “epidemic,” “pandemic,” “quarantine,” and “immunity.” Find out how to say, “An epidemic has broken out,” “In ancient times, many people died of plagues,” and “A worldwide plague of theft emptied art museums,” as well as “immune to measles.” Also learn to speak of immunity figuratively, as in, “I graduated from a boys’ school, so I have no immunity to women.”

Revision history:

Sept. 10, 2022: p. 12: Regarding the sample sentence about smallpox, I changed the verb at the end from なる to ある, which sounds much more natural. I also added a factual clarification about how immunity to smallpox depends on having received the vaccine.

June 25, 2021: p. 1, Character Profile: Changed the definition of 渡 to “to cross.”

Mar. 28, 2020: Originally published.