Translation guide
The English word 'belch' refers to the act of expelling gas from the stomach through the mouth, often with a sound. In Japanese, the most common and neutral term is げっぷ (geppu), which can be used as both a noun and a verb with する. There are also more formal or technical terms, as well as onomatopoeic expressions.
The physical act of belching, typically after eating or drinking.
Used figuratively to describe something being expelled forcefully, like a volcano or chimney.
げっぷ is the everyday word for 'belch'. おくび is more formal and often used in set phrases. 噯気 is a medical term and rarely used outside of clinical contexts.
げっぷを我慢するのは体に良くない。
Holding in a burp is not good for you.
Belching loudly in public is generally considered impolite in Japan, similar to many Western cultures. If you need to excuse yourself, you can say 失礼しました (しつれいしました) after a belch.
彼は大きなげっぷをした。
He let out a loud belch.
A slightly more formal or literary term for 'belch'. Less common in everyday speech.
おくびにも出さない。
To not even hint at something (idiom: not even let out a belch).
A technical/medical term for belching. Rarely used in daily conversation.
噯気は消化不良の症状です。
Belching is a symptom of indigestion.
The verb phrase meaning 'to belch' or 'to burp'. This is the most natural way to express the action.
赤ちゃんがげっぷをした。
The baby burped.
げっぷをしてすっきりした。
I burped and felt better.
Literally 'a belch comes out'. A common way to describe an involuntary belch.
炭酸飲料を飲むとげっぷが出る。
When I drink carbonated beverages, I burp.
Means 'to gush out', 'to spout', or 'to belch out' (smoke, flames, etc.). Used for volcanoes, chimneys, etc.
火山が煙を噴き出した。
The volcano belched smoke.
工場の煙突が黒煙を噴き出している。
The factory chimney is belching black smoke.
Means 'to spit out' or 'to belch out'. Can be used for smoke, flames, or words.
ドラゴンが炎を吐き出した。
The dragon belched flames.