Translation guide
Acid reflux is a medical condition where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing heartburn and discomfort. In Japanese, it is commonly referred to as 逆流性食道炎 (medical term) or more casually as 胸やけ (heartburn). This guide covers how to express the condition, symptoms, and related phrases.
I have acid reflux.
Use this when stating the diagnosis. For symptoms, say 胸やけがします (I have heartburn).
Referring to the chronic condition of acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
The standard medical term for reflux esophagitis, often used to describe GERD. This is the most precise term when talking about the condition itself.
I was diagnosed with acid reflux.
Literally 'backflow of stomach acid'. This phrase describes the mechanism rather than the disease name, and is used in explanations.
The full Japanese term for GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). More technical and less commonly used in everyday conversation than 逆流性食道炎.
Describing the burning sensation in the chest caused by acid reflux.
The most common and natural word for heartburn. It directly conveys the burning feeling in the chest.
Describing the sensation of stomach acid rising into the throat or mouth.
Literally 'stomach acid comes up'. This is a natural way to describe the feeling of acid reflux in everyday conversation.
Referring to medicine used to treat acid reflux or heartburn.
General term for stomach medicine, including antacids and acid reducers. Widely understood and used.
逆流性食道炎 is the medical condition (reflux esophagitis/GERD), while 胸やけ is the symptom (heartburn). In casual English, 'acid reflux' often refers to the symptom, so 胸やけ is usually more appropriate unless you are discussing a diagnosis.
When visiting a doctor, you can say: 胸やけがして、胃酸が上がってくる感じがします (I have heartburn and feel like acid is coming up). This clearly communicates acid reflux symptoms.
Acid reflux often gets worse after eating spicy food.
Heartburn occurs due to acid reflux.
Lifestyle changes are important for treating GERD.
I've been having bad heartburn lately.
I took medicine because I had heartburn.
Verb phrase meaning 'the chest burns'. Slightly more descriptive than 胸やけ, often used in casual speech.
I ate too much and now I have heartburn.
At night, acid comes up and it's uncomfortable.
Literally 'something sour comes up'. A common colloquial description of acid reflux taste.
When I burped, something sour came up.
I had heartburn, so I bought some stomach medicine.
Medical term for antacid. Used in pharmacies or by doctors, not common in daily conversation.
Please take this antacid after meals.
Uses 胃酸の逆流 to describe the mechanism.
I need something for acid reflux.
In a pharmacy, it's natural to ask for heartburn medicine rather than using the medical term.