九きゅう回かいの腸ちょう

expression, noun

gut-wrenching anguish; deep grief; heartbroken thoughts

Literary and somewhat archaic expression for intense emotional pain, as if one's intestines are being twisted. Often used in classical or poetic contexts.

See also: 九回 (きゅうかい)

• 彼かれの裏うら切ぎりに、九きゅう回かいの腸ちょうが断たたれる思おもいだった。

  His betrayal felt like my guts were being torn apart.

• 古こ典てん文ぶん学がくでは、深ふかい悲かなしみを「九きゅう回かいの腸ちょう」と表ひょう現げんすることがある。

  In classical literature, deep sorrow is sometimes expressed as 'nine-twisted intestines'.