Translation guide
Describes severe abdominal pain, often in babies, caused by gas or intestinal spasms. The most common Japanese term is 疝痛 (せんつう), a medical word. For babies, 夜泣き (よなき) is often used for nighttime crying, though it is not a direct translation.
colic (medical)
Technical term for spasmodic abdominal pain.
colic (baby)
Common term for a baby's nighttime crying, not a direct translation.
To refer to colic as a medical condition in adults or animals, characterized by spasmodic pain in the abdomen.
The standard medical term for colic, referring to severe, intermittent abdominal pain caused by spasms or obstruction. Used for both humans and animals.
Colic can be caused by gallstones or kidney stones.
General term for abdominal pain. Not specific to colic, but commonly used in everyday conversation. Can be used when the exact nature of the pain is not important.
Refers to a sudden, sharp, cramping pain in the abdomen. Can be used for colicky pain, but is less specific and somewhat colloquial.
To describe the condition where an otherwise healthy baby cries excessively, often attributed to abdominal discomfort.
Literally 'night crying', this is the most common term used by Japanese parents for a baby's inconsolable crying, especially at night. It is not a direct translation of 'colic' but is the culturally equivalent concept. Note that it emphasizes the crying symptom rather than the abdominal cause.
夜泣き does not necessarily imply abdominal pain; it simply means crying at night. If you want to specify colic as a medical cause, use 疝痛 or explain further.
The baby's night crying is so bad that my spouse and I take turns soothing him.
Medical term for infant colic. Literally 'infant colic'. Used by doctors or in medical contexts.
A traditional Japanese concept referring to a 'worm' or 'insect' that causes fretfulness, crying, and digestive issues in babies. It is an old-fashioned term, but still understood. Often used in the phrase '疳の虫が強い' (the baby has a strong 'kan-no-mushi', meaning they are prone to colic or irritability).
To refer to colic specifically in horses, a common and serious condition.
If you say '私の赤ちゃんは疝痛があります' (My baby has colic), it sounds overly medical and may not be understood by non-medical people. Instead, describe the symptom: '夜泣きがひどいんです' (The night crying is severe).
疝痛 (せんつう) is specific to colicky, spasmodic pain, often with a clear medical cause. 腹痛 (ふくつう) is a general term for any stomachache. Use 腹痛 for everyday complaints, and 疝痛 when you need to be precise or in a medical context.
The baby has colic and cries every evening.
Uses 夜泣き, the natural expression for infant crying.
He was diagnosed with biliary colic.
Medical context, uses 疝痛.
昨夜から腹痛がひどくて眠れませんでした。
I had severe abdominal pain since last night and couldn't sleep.
急に差し込みが来て、立っていられなかった。
Suddenly a sharp cramp hit me and I couldn't stand.
Infant colic often resolves naturally by around 3 months of age.
This child has a strong 'kan-no-mushi' and cries a lot.
あの馬は腹痛を起こしているようだ。
That horse seems to have abdominal pain.