Translation guide
In Japanese, the most common and neutral word for diarrhoea is 下痢 (げり). This guide covers how to talk about having diarrhoea, describing its symptoms, and related expressions in natural Japanese.
To say that you or someone else has diarrhoea, or to describe the condition in a neutral way.
The standard medical and everyday term for diarrhoea. Can be used as a noun or with する to mean 'have diarrhoea'.
昨日から下痢が続いています。
I've had diarrhoea since yesterday.
下痢をした。
I had diarrhoea.
A softer, more euphemistic way to say you have loose bowels. Literally 'stomach is loose'. Common in everyday conversation.
ちょっとお腹がゆるくて。
I have a bit of an upset stomach (diarrhoea).
Literally 'to break one's stomach', meaning to get an upset stomach, often implying diarrhoea. Used when the cause is something you ate or a temporary condition.
生ものを食べてお腹を壊した。
I ate raw food and got diarrhoea.
To describe diarrhoea that is very watery or severe, often needing more specific terms.
Specifically means watery diarrhoea. Used when you want to emphasize the liquid consistency.
水下痢が止まらない。
The watery diarrhoea won't stop.
Descriptive phrase meaning 'diarrhoea like water'. Can be used if you don't know the word 水下痢.
水のような下痢が出た。
I had diarrhoea that was like water.
To express that you have a sudden urge to go to the toilet due to diarrhoea, or that it comes on quickly.
Describes the sequence of sudden stomach pain followed by diarrhoea. Natural way to explain an acute episode.
急にお腹が痛くなって下痢をした。
Suddenly my stomach hurt and I had diarrhoea.
Literally 'diarrhoea comes suddenly'. Used to describe the urgency.
下痢が急に来てトイレに駆け込んだ。
Diarrhoea hit me suddenly and I rushed to the toilet.
To talk about diarrhoea when visiting a doctor or describing symptoms formally.
Means 'symptoms of diarrhoea'. Used in medical settings or when listing symptoms.
下痢症状が3日続いています。
I've had diarrhoea symptoms for three days.
Means 'tendency to have diarrhoea' or 'slightly diarrhetic'. Useful when describing a mild or ongoing condition.
最近、下痢気味です。
Lately, I've been having loose stools.
While お腹 (おなか) is used in phrases like お腹がゆるい, directly saying 'stomach diarrhoea' (胃の下痢) is not natural. Stick to the expressions given.
下痢 is the direct medical term and can be used in any situation. お腹がゆるい is a softer, more everyday expression that avoids the direct word 'diarrhoea', similar to saying 'upset stomach' in English.