Translation guide
The English word "gut" has several distinct meanings: the digestive organ, the belly area, a deep intuitive feeling, the core or essential part of something, and the verb meaning to remove the insides or destroy the interior. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each.
Referring to the internal organ, especially the intestines.
The standard anatomical term for intestines. Used in medical and everyday contexts.
腸の調子が悪い。
My gut is not feeling well.
Refers to guts or entrails, often in a more visceral or dramatic sense. Can be used for human or animal innards.
Remove the guts of the fish.
General term for internal organs, including the gut. More formal or medical.
Examine the internal organs.
Referring to the external abdominal area, often in casual or colloquial contexts.
Polite and common word for belly or stomach. Used in everyday conversation.
I'm getting a gut.
More casual or masculine word for belly. Often used in set phrases.
Specifically refers to a potbelly or beer gut. Colloquial and slightly humorous.
A deep, instinctive feeling or reaction, often without logical reasoning.
The most direct equivalent for 'gut feeling' or intuition. Commonly used.
I decided based on my gut feeling.
A premonition or gut feeling that something is going to happen, often negative. Literally 'bug's notice'.
Sixth sense; similar to gut instinct. Slightly more mystical nuance.
From the bottom of one's gut; used to express a deep, sincere feeling or conviction.
I feel it in my gut.
The most important or central part of something, often used in phrases like 'the guts of the machine'.
The verb meaning to remove the internal organs of an animal, or to destroy the inside of something.
直感 is the general term for intuition or gut feeling. 虫の知らせ implies a premonition, often negative, and is more colloquial. 第六感 is like a sixth sense, sometimes with a supernatural nuance. Use 直感 for most situations.
Trust your gut.
I had a gut feeling something bad would happen.
Do not translate 'gut feeling' literally as 腹の感じ or 腸の感じ. These sound unnatural. Use 直感 or 虫の知らせ instead.
I have a gut feeling that he's lying.
The building was completely gutted by the fire.
It gets on my nerves. (lit. my gut stands up)
彼はすっかり太鼓腹だ。
He's got a real beer gut.
I called because I had a gut feeling.
My gut instinct kicked in.
Look at the guts of the computer.
Internal structure; technical term for the inner workings.
Understand the guts of the engine.
The fire gutted the building.