Translation guide
How to express feeling nauseated or sick to your stomach in Japanese, from mild queasiness to severe nausea.
Express that you feel nauseated or sick to your stomach in a general sense.
The most common and natural way to say 'I feel nauseated.' Literally 'nausea does.'
吐き気がする。
I feel nauseated.
昨日から吐き気がします。
I've been feeling nauseated since yesterday.
Very common casual expression meaning 'I feel sick/unwell.' Can refer to nausea or general discomfort.
なんか気持ち悪い。
I feel kind of sick.
気持ち悪くて吐きそう。
I feel so sick I might throw up.
Casual verb meaning 'feel nauseated' or 'feel sick.' Also used figuratively for 'disgusted/irritated.'
胃がむかつく。
My stomach feels queasy.
食べ過ぎてむかつく。
I ate too much and feel sick.
Means 'about to vomit' or 'feel like throwing up.' Stronger than just nausea.
吐きそうだ。
I feel like I'm going to throw up.
Express nausea caused by motion, such as in a car, boat, or plane.
General term for motion sickness. Literally 'vehicle sickness.'
私は乗り物酔いしやすい。
I get motion sickness easily.
バスで乗り物酔いした。
I got motion sickness on the bus.
Specifically car sickness.
車酔いして気持ち悪い。
I'm carsick and feel nauseated.
Specifically seasickness.
船酔いで吐き気がする。
I feel nauseated from seasickness.
Express nausea related to pregnancy.
The standard term for morning sickness. Literally 'have morning sickness.'
つわりがひどい。
My morning sickness is severe.
つわりで吐き気がする。
I feel nauseated from morning sickness.
Express that something is so disgusting it makes you feel nauseated.
Formal/literary expression meaning 'to feel nauseated' or 'to be disgusted.' Often used for strong revulsion.
その光景は吐き気を催すものだった。
The sight was nauseating.
Literally 'chest becomes bad,' meaning to feel sick or disgusted.
その話を聞いて胸が悪くなった。
Hearing that story made me feel sick.
吐き気がする is the most direct and neutral way to say 'I feel nauseated.' 気持ち悪い is broader and very common in casual speech, covering general unwellness. むかつく is casual and can also mean 'irritated' or 'disgusted,' so context matters.
吐き気がするので休みます。
I feel nauseated so I'll rest.
気持ち悪いから外の空気を吸ってくる。
I feel sick so I'll go get some fresh air.
あいつの態度にむかつく。
His attitude makes me sick/disgusts me.
Do not directly translate 'feel nauseated' as 吐き気を感じる. While understandable, it is not natural Japanese. Use 吐き気がする instead.