Translation guide
A substance that helps you have a bowel movement. In Japanese, the most common word is 下剤 (げざい), but there are also specific types and euphemisms used in daily life.
The standard word for any medicine or substance that relieves constipation.
The most common and neutral medical term for a laxative. Used in pharmacies and by doctors.
便秘がひどいので、下剤を飲みました。
I was badly constipated, so I took a laxative.
この下剤は効果が穏やかです。
This laxative has a mild effect.
Literally 'constipation medicine'. Common in drugstores and everyday conversation. Slightly more consumer-friendly than 下剤.
薬局で便秘薬を買ってきた。
I bought a laxative at the drugstore.
A gentle laxative that softens stool without strong stimulation, often used for children or the elderly.
Medical term for a mild laxative. Often used in clinical settings.
高齢者には緩下剤が処方されることが多い。
Mild laxatives are often prescribed for the elderly.
Technical term for stool softener. Rarely used outside medical contexts.
便軟化剤は便を柔らかくして排便を楽にします。
Stool softeners make stool softer and ease bowel movements.
A laxative that stimulates the bowels to cause a bowel movement, often used for severe constipation or before medical procedures.
Medical term for stimulant laxative. Found on product labels and in medical explanations.
刺激性下剤は長期使用を避けるべきです。
Stimulant laxatives should not be used long-term.
A drastic or powerful laxative. Rare, mostly in traditional medicine or older texts.
峻下剤は強力な下剤で、現在ではあまり使われない。
Drastic laxatives are powerful purgatives and are rarely used today.
Foods or natural substances that have a laxative effect, often mentioned in health contexts.
Common phrase meaning 'foods that help with constipation'. Used in everyday talk and health articles.
便秘に効く食べ物を教えてください。
Please tell me about foods that help with constipation.
Dietary fiber. Often recommended as a natural way to relieve constipation.
食物繊維を多くとると、便秘が改善します。
Eating a lot of dietary fiber improves constipation.
Indirect or softer ways to refer to a laxative in conversation, often avoiding medical terms.
Literally 'stomach medicine', but often used euphemistically for laxatives or digestive aids. Common in casual speech.
ちょっとお腹の薬を飲んでくるね。
I'm going to take some stomach medicine (laxative).
Very casual, literally 'medicine to get it out'. Used among close friends or family.
出す薬もらってきた。
I got some laxatives.
The English word 'laxative' is not commonly used in Japanese. Using ラクサティブ may not be understood. Stick to 下剤 or 便秘薬.
If you need to buy a laxative, you can say: 便秘の薬はありますか？ (Do you have medicine for constipation?). The pharmacist will understand and may show you 便秘薬 or 下剤.