Translation guide
The English word "vomit" can be a verb or a noun. In Japanese, the most common and neutral verb is 吐く (haku). There are also more specific or colloquial terms, as well as the noun form 嘔吐 (ōto), which is more formal or medical.
Expressing the action of throwing up, in casual to formal contexts.
The standard, neutral verb for 'to vomit'. Can be used in most situations.
彼は食べたものを全部吐いた。
He vomited everything he ate.
I feel sick and like I'm going to vomit.
Literally 'to return', but commonly used as a euphemism for 'to vomit', especially in spoken Japanese. Slightly softer than 吐く.
I threw up what I ate earlier.
Formal or medical term for 'to vomit'. Used in clinical contexts or formal writing.
The patient vomited repeatedly.
Very casual and vulgar slang for 'to vomit'. Often used among friends or in rough speech.
I drank too much and puked.
Referring to the substance that is vomited.
A natural, everyday way to refer to vomit as a substance. Literally 'the thing that was vomited'.
There was vomit on the road.
Formal or medical term for 'vomit' as a substance. Used in clinical or official contexts.
Slang for 'vomit' as a substance. Very casual and vulgar.
吐く (haku) is the direct and most common word for 'vomit'. 戻す (modosu) is a euphemism, often used in polite conversation or when the speaker wants to soften the expression. In medical or formal contexts, 嘔吐する (ōto suru) is preferred.
English phrases like 'throw up' or 'puke' do not have direct literal equivalents in Japanese. Use the appropriate Japanese verb based on context and register.
嘔吐物の処理には注意が必要です。
Care is needed when handling vomit.
Cleaning up puke is the worst.