Translation guide
To vomit. The most common and neutral Japanese equivalent is 吐く (はく). Other expressions vary by formality, intensity, and context.
Expressing the act of vomiting in a neutral or everyday context.
The most common and direct verb for 'to vomit'. Used in casual and neutral situations.
I threw up everything I ate yesterday.
I feel sick and like I'm going to throw up.
A slightly more euphemistic or gentle way to say 'throw up'. Often used when speaking to or about children, or in medical contexts.
The baby threw up the milk.
I took the medicine but threw it up right away.
Literally 'to feel nausea'. Used to describe the sensation of wanting to throw up, not necessarily the act itself.
I feel nauseous and can't eat anything.
Formal/medical term for 'vomiting'. Used in clinical settings or written reports.
The patient vomited after eating.
Emphasizing forceful or profuse vomiting.
Very casual or slang expressions for vomiting.
吐く is the standard word for 'vomit' and can be used in most situations. 戻す is softer and often used when talking about babies, children, or in medical contexts. It can also mean 'to return something', so context is important.
to vomit (general)
to throw up (euphemistic/medical)
Do not literally translate 'throw up' as 投げ上げる (なげあげる). That means to throw something upward physically and does not mean vomit.