Translation guide
Describes a protruding belly, often due to fat accumulation. In Japanese, this can be expressed with specific nouns, adjectives, or descriptive phrases, depending on the context and level of politeness.
To refer to a potbelly in a neutral or descriptive way, without strong negative or humorous connotations.
Literally 'drum belly', this is the most common and neutral term for a potbelly. It evokes the image of a round, protruding stomach.
彼は最近太鼓腹になってきた。
He's been getting a potbelly lately.
A polite and common way to say 'one's belly sticks out'. Uses the honorific prefix お and the verb 出る (to protrude).
運動不足でお腹が出てきた。
My belly is starting to stick out from lack of exercise.
A more direct, casual version of お腹が出ている. Often used among close friends or in informal settings.
あの人、腹が出てるね。
That guy has a potbelly, huh.
To emphasize the roundness or size of the belly, often in a light-hearted or joking manner.
Combines the onomatopoeic adverb でっぷり (plumply, stoutly) with お腹. Conveys a cute or humorous image of a round belly.
サンタクロースはでっぷりお腹が特徴だ。
Santa Claus is known for his big, round belly.
Uses the onomatopoeia ぽっこり (bulging, protruding) to describe a belly that sticks out noticeably, often used for a small but distinct potbelly.
ぽっこりお腹をへこませたい。
I want to flatten my potbelly.
To refer specifically to the potbelly that often develops in middle-aged men, sometimes with a nuance of metabolic syndrome.
Literally 'beer belly'. A very common colloquial term for a potbelly caused by drinking beer.
毎日ビールを飲んでいたらビール腹になった。
I got a beer belly from drinking beer every day.
Short for 'metabolic syndrome belly'. A modern, slightly clinical but widely understood term for a potbelly associated with health risks.
健康診断でメタボ腹を指摘された。
My potbelly was pointed out at the health check-up.
To describe a protruding abdomen in a clinical or formal setting, such as a doctor's visit or a health article.
A formal, medical term meaning 'abdominal protrusion'. Used in clinical diagnoses or health reports.
腹部突出は内臓脂肪の蓄積が原因です。
Abdominal protrusion is caused by the accumulation of visceral fat.
Medical term for 'central obesity', referring to fat accumulated around the abdomen. More technical than 腹部突出.
中心性肥満は生活習慣病のリスクを高めます。
Central obesity increases the risk of lifestyle-related diseases.
太鼓腹 is a general term for a potbelly and can be used for anyone, while ビール腹 specifically implies the belly is caused by drinking beer. Use ビール腹 only when the context involves beer consumption.
彼はビール腹だが、実はビールは飲まない。
He has a beer belly, but he actually doesn't drink beer.
While 太鼓腹 is the closest equivalent, it's often more natural to describe the condition using phrases like お腹が出ている (one's belly sticks out) rather than labeling someone with a noun. Using a noun directly can sound blunt or rude.
最近お腹周りが気になる。
I'm concerned about my waistline lately.
彼は太鼓腹をポンと叩いて笑った。
He patted his potbelly and laughed.
このお腹をどうにかしないと。
I need to do something about this potbelly.