Translation guide
How to talk about a stomach ache in Japanese, from casual complaints to medical symptoms.
お腹が痛いです。
I have a stomach ache.
Expressing that your stomach hurts in everyday conversation.
The most common and natural way to say 'I have a stomach ache.' Literally 'stomach is painful.'
お腹が痛いので、休みます。
I have a stomach ache, so I'll rest.
My stomach has been hurting since yesterday.
More formal/medical term for abdominal pain. Used at the doctor's office or in writing.
腹痛が続いています。
I've been having abdominal pain.
Slightly more descriptive, 'my stomach aches.' Can imply a dull or ongoing pain.
食べ過ぎてお腹が痛む。
I ate too much and my stomach aches.
Describes a sharp, gripping stomach pain. Often used for stress-related or cramping pain.
緊張でお腹がキリキリする。
My stomach is in knots from nerves.
Specifically when the stomach ache is caused by eating too much or something that didn't agree with you.
Feeling of heaviness or discomfort in the stomach after eating, like the food is just sitting there.
脂っこいもので胃がもたれた。
My stomach feels heavy from all that greasy food.
Literally 'stomach (organ) hurts.' More specific to the stomach organ rather than the whole abdominal area.
食べ過ぎて胃が痛い。
I ate too much and my stomach hurts.
Indigestion. Often used in more formal or medical contexts.
When the stomach ache is accompanied by feeling sick or like you might throw up.
To feel nauseous. Often used together with stomach ache.
お腹が痛くて吐き気もする。
My stomach hurts and I feel nauseous too.
Casual way to say feeling sick to your stomach or queasy. Can also mean 'irritated' in other contexts.
なんか胃がむかつく。
My stomach feels kind of queasy.
Stomach ache specifically related to menstruation.
Menstrual cramps. The standard term.
生理痛がひどいです。
My period cramps are really bad.
Often women just say 'my stomach hurts' and it's understood from context. Adding 'from my period' clarifies.
生理でお腹が痛い。
I have cramps from my period.
How children or parents talk about tummy aches.
Adding の makes it sound softer and more childlike. Often used by children or when speaking to children.
ママ、お腹が痛いの。
Mommy, my tummy hurts.
Baby talk for tummy. Used in phrases like 'tummy hurts'.
お腹ポンポン痛い？
Does your tummy hurt?
胃 (い) specifically means the stomach organ. If the pain is in the lower abdomen or you're not sure, use お腹 (おなか) which refers to the belly area. Using 胃 when it's actually intestinal pain can cause confusion at the doctor.
お腹が痛い is everyday spoken Japanese. 腹痛 is more formal and often used in medical contexts or written descriptions. At a clinic, you can say お腹が痛いです, but the doctor might write 腹痛 in your chart.
消化不良でお腹が張っています。
I'm bloated from indigestion.