Translation guide
The English word "stomach" can refer to the organ, the belly area, or appetite. Japanese uses different words depending on the context.
My stomach hurts (the organ).
I had a stomach examination.
Referring to the external belly or abdominal region, often in casual or physical contexts.
Polite and common word for belly. Used by all ages. Often used for hunger or general stomach area.
I'm hungry.
Please show me your stomach.
More casual or masculine word for belly. Can sound rough. Used in set phrases.
Formal/medical term for the abdominal region. Used in clinical contexts.
Expressing hunger or the ability to eat.
Standard phrase for 'to become hungry'. Literally 'stomach becomes empty'.
When you get hungry, let's eat something.
Casual/rough way to say 'get hungry'. Common among men or in informal speech.
I'm so hungry I could die.
Appetite (desire to eat). Used in expressions like 'no appetite'.
Expressing pain or discomfort in the stomach area.
General phrase for stomach ache (belly area). Can refer to intestines or general abdominal pain.
My stomach hurt, so I stayed home from school.
Specifically pain in the stomach organ. Often used for stress-related stomach pain.
My stomach hurts from stress.
Formal/medical term for abdominal pain.
Metaphorical use: ability to handle unpleasant things.
胃 (い) refers specifically to the organ. お腹 (おなか) refers to the belly area in general. If you say 胃がすいた, it sounds odd because the organ itself doesn't become empty; use お腹がすいた for hunger.
お腹 is polite and standard. 腹 is casual and can sound rough or masculine. Women and children usually use お腹. In formal situations, stick to お腹.
I'm hungry (rough).
To get angry (lit. 'stand the belly').
I have pain in the abdominal region.
食欲がない。
I have no appetite.
腹痛を訴える患者が多い。
Many patients complain of abdominal pain.
I have a weak stomach, so I can't eat greasy food.