Translation guide
Expresses physical discomfort, nausea, or general unwellness. Japanese has distinct expressions for stomach-related nausea, general malaise, and specific symptoms.
Feeling like you might vomit, queasy stomach.
Most common and direct way to say 'I feel nauseous' or 'I feel like throwing up'. Literally 'nausea does'.
吐き気がするので、少し横になります。
I feel sick, so I'm going to lie down for a bit.
Very common casual expression for feeling sick, especially nausea. Can also mean 'gross' or 'creepy' depending on context.
食べ過ぎて気持ち悪い。
I ate too much and feel sick.
Literally 'about to vomit'. More direct and urgent than 吐き気がする.
車酔いで吐きそう。
I'm so carsick I feel like I'm going to throw up.
Can mean 'feel sick' (stomach) or 'be disgusted/irritated'. For physical nausea, it's casual and often implies a sour stomach.
Often used for emotional disgust rather than physical sickness. Context clarifies.
胃がむかつく。
My stomach feels sick.
Feeling under the weather, not well overall, without specific nausea.
Polite and general way to say 'I don't feel well'. Suitable for work or formal situations.
今日は体調が悪いので、休みます。
I don't feel well today, so I'll take the day off.
Very common, slightly more casual than 体調が悪い. Means 'not in good condition' physically.
ちょっと具合が悪いんです。
I'm feeling a bit sick.
Feeling sluggish, heavy, or lethargic. Often part of feeling sick, like when you have a cold.
Formal/literary expression for 'not feeling well'. Often used in written or polite speech.
本日は気分が優れないため、欠席いたします。
I will be absent today as I am feeling unwell.
Feeling faint, dizzy, or like you might pass out.
Standard expression for dizziness or vertigo.
立ち上がったらめまいがした。
I felt dizzy when I stood up.
Onomatopoeic expression for feeling lightheaded or dizzy, often from anemia or fatigue.
暑さでくらくらする。
I feel dizzy from the heat.
Feeling sick due to headache or bodily pain.
Directly 'head hurts'. Often used when feeling sick includes headache.
頭が痛くて気持ち悪い。
My head hurts and I feel sick.
気持ち悪い strongly implies nausea or disgust, while 具合が悪い is a broader 'not feeling well'. Use 具合が悪い at work; 気持ち悪い is casual and can be too direct.
病気 (びょうき) means 'illness/disease'. Saying '私は病気です' sounds like 'I have a disease'. Use the phrases above to describe temporary sickness.
あれを食べてから気持ち悪い。
I feel sick after eating that.
彼女は気分が悪いと言って帰りました。
She said she felt sick and went home.
I feel feverish and sluggish.