Translation guide
The part of the body between the chest and pelvis. In Japanese, the most common word is お腹 (onaka), used in everyday speech. Medical or formal contexts use 腹部 (fukubu).
Referring to the stomach or belly in casual, daily conversation.
The most common and natural word for 'stomach' or 'belly' in everyday Japanese. Used for hunger, pain, fullness, etc.
お腹が空いた。
I'm hungry.
お腹がいっぱいです。
I'm full.
A more blunt or masculine version of お腹. Often used in set phrases or rough speech.
腹が減った。
I'm hungry. (rough)
Referring to the abdomen in a clinical, anatomical, or formal context.
The standard anatomical term for 'abdomen'. Used in medical settings, formal writing, and technical descriptions.
腹部に痛みがあります。
I have pain in my abdomen.
腹部の手術を受けた。
I had abdominal surgery.
Even in medical contexts, patients often use お腹 when speaking casually with doctors. However, 腹部 is more precise.
Referring specifically to the lower part of the abdomen, often in contexts of fat, exercise, or appearance.
Referring to the posterior body segment of an insect or arthropod.
Used for the abdomen of insects, spiders, etc., in biological contexts.
クモの腹部には糸を出す器官がある。
The spider's abdomen has organs that produce silk.
The English word 'stomach' often refers to the belly area, but the anatomical stomach (the organ) is 胃 (い). If you say 胃が痛い, it specifically means your stomach organ hurts. Use お腹 for general abdominal pain.
The word 腹 (はら) is often prefixed with お for politeness, becoming お腹 (おなか). This is the standard in polite conversation. Using 腹 alone can sound rough or masculine.
My stomach hasn't been feeling well.
I feel discomfort in my lower abdomen.