Translation guide
Describes loose, watery stools. In Japanese, the most common and neutral term is 下痢 (げり). There are also more casual or euphemistic expressions, as well as medical terms.
The standard, neutral way to say 'diarrhea' in most situations, including medical contexts.
The most common and direct translation. Used in both casual and formal settings.
I've had diarrhea since yesterday.
下痢の症状が出たら、水分をたくさん取ってください。
If you have symptoms of diarrhea, drink plenty of fluids.
A softer, more euphemistic way to say 'have loose bowels'. Common in everyday conversation.
ちょっとお腹がゆるくて。
I have a bit of an upset stomach (diarrhea).
Verb phrase meaning 'to have diarrhea'. Slightly more direct than お腹がゆるい.
変なものを食べて、下痢をしてしまった。
I ate something weird and got diarrhea.
Specifically refers to watery diarrhea. More descriptive and somewhat technical.
水下痢が止まらない。
The watery diarrhea won't stop.
Very informal ways to talk about diarrhea, often used among friends or in humorous contexts.
Slang term combining 下痢 with the onomatopoeia ピー (sound of liquid). Playful and childish.
昨日、下痢ピーで大変だった。
Yesterday I had the runs and it was awful.
Literally 'to break one's stomach', meaning to get an upset stomach/diarrhea. Very common.
冷たいものを飲みすぎてお腹を壊した。
I drank too many cold drinks and got diarrhea.
Terms used in medical settings or formal writing.
Medical term for diarrheal disease or condition. Used in clinical contexts.
感染性下痢症が流行しています。
Infectious diarrhea is going around.
Older or more literary term for diarrhea. Rarely used in modern conversation.
While 'the runs' is a common English euphemism, there is no direct equivalent in Japanese. Use 下痢 or お腹がゆるい instead. The slang 下痢ピー is the closest in tone but is very informal.
In polite settings, you can soften the statement by using お腹の調子が悪い (stomach condition is bad) or お腹がゆるい. Directly saying 下痢です is acceptable but can sound blunt.
腹下しの薬を飲む。
Take medicine for diarrhea.