Translation guide
A guide to expressing the concept of constipation in Japanese, covering medical terms, everyday expressions, and related phrases.
The standard way to say constipation in medical or everyday contexts.
The most common and neutral term for constipation, used in both medical and daily conversation.
I've been a bit constipated lately.
I bought medicine for constipation.
Expressing the sensation or state of being constipated.
Literally 'stomach feels bloated', often used to describe the discomfort of constipation.
My stomach feels bloated from constipation.
Directly means 'stool doesn't come out', a straightforward way to say you can't have a bowel movement.
I haven't had a bowel movement in three days.
Means 'stool is hard', often associated with constipation.
My stool is hard and difficult to pass.
Describing long-term or habitual constipation.
Expressing very severe constipation where nothing comes out.
In formal or polite situations, you can soften the expression by saying お通じが悪い (おつうじがわるい, bowel movements are poor) instead of directly saying 便秘.
Lately, my bowel movements haven't been good.
Do not try to translate 'constipation' literally as something like 詰まり (つまり, blockage) without context. The standard term is 便秘.
宿便が溜まっている可能性があります。
There is a possibility of impacted stool accumulation.