Translation guide
The English word 'belly' is an informal term for the stomach or abdominal area. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is お腹 (onaka), which is polite and widely used. Other words exist for specific contexts, such as anatomy, animals, or casual speech.
Referring to the stomach area in everyday, polite conversation, such as talking about hunger, fullness, or stomachaches.
The standard, polite word for 'belly' or 'stomach'. Used by all ages in daily life. Combines the honorific prefix お with 腹 (hara).
お腹が空いた。
I'm hungry. (lit. My belly is empty.)
お腹がいっぱいです。
I'm full. (lit. My belly is full.)
お腹が痛い。
I have a stomachache.
A more direct, sometimes masculine or rough word for 'belly'. Used in casual speech, idioms, and compound words. Can sound blunt if used alone in polite contexts.
Hiragana version of お腹, commonly used in informal writing or when the kanji is considered difficult. Same meaning and politeness level.
おなかすいた？
Are you hungry?
Using a cute or childish word for 'belly', similar to 'tummy' in English.
Referring to the abdomen in a formal, anatomical, or medical context.
The formal anatomical term for 'abdomen' or 'belly'. Used in medical settings, academic writing, and formal descriptions.
腹部に痛みがあります。
I have pain in my abdomen.
腹部の手術を受けた。
I had abdominal surgery.
Even in medical contexts, patients often use お腹 when speaking to doctors. Doctors may use 腹部 for precision.
Referring to the underside or stomach area of an animal.
Commonly used for pets and animals in everyday speech, especially when speaking affectionately.
犬がお腹を見せて寝ている。
The dog is sleeping on its back showing its belly.
Used for animals in a more neutral or descriptive way, especially in compounds like 腹びれ (pelvic fin).
Used in zoological or veterinary contexts.
Referring to the bulging part of an object, like the belly of a ship or a pot.
Used for the 'belly' of inanimate objects, especially in technical descriptions.
船の腹部に貨物を積む。
Load cargo into the belly of the ship.
Refers to the trunk or body of an object, like a pot or a stringed instrument. Can mean 'belly' in the sense of the widest part.
花瓶の胴が膨らんでいる。
The belly of the vase is swollen.
お腹 (onaka) is the polite, everyday word for stomach/belly. 腹 (hara) is more direct, often used in casual male speech or idioms. 腹部 (fukubu) is the formal anatomical term. Use お腹 in most situations unless you want to sound rough or technical.
お腹が痛いです。
I have a stomachache. (polite)
腹が痛え。
My gut hurts. (rough, masculine)
腹部に鈍痛を感じる。
I feel a dull pain in my abdomen. (medical)
The English loanword ベリー (berii) means 'berry', not 'belly'. Avoid using it to mean stomach.
How is your stomach? (doctor to patient)
To gut a fish. (lit. To split the fish's belly)
This insect's abdomen is yellow.