Translation guide
To vomit. The most common and neutral Japanese equivalent is 吐く (はく). Other expressions vary by formality, intensity, and context.
Expressing the act of vomiting in a neutral or everyday context.
The most common and direct verb for 'to vomit'. Used in casual and neutral situations.
昨日食べたものを全部吐いた。
I threw up everything I ate yesterday.
Emphasizing forceful or profuse vomiting.
Very casual or slang expressions for vomiting.
Slang verb derived from ゲロ (vomit). Rough and informal.
あいつ、またゲロってたよ。
That guy threw up again.
Slang borrowed from English 'reverse', meaning to vomit. Used among young people.
吐く is the standard word for 'vomit' and can be used in most situations. 戻す is softer and often used when talking about babies, children, or in medical contexts. It can also mean 'to return something', so context is important.
Do not literally translate 'throw up' as 投げ上げる (なげあげる). That means to throw something upward physically and does not mean vomit.
気持ち悪くて吐きそう。
I feel sick and like I'm going to throw up.
A slightly more euphemistic or gentle way to say 'throw up'. Often used when speaking to or about children, or in medical contexts.
赤ちゃんがミルクを戻した。
The baby threw up the milk.
薬を飲んだけど、すぐに戻してしまった。
I took the medicine but threw it up right away.
Literally 'to feel nausea'. Used to describe the sensation of wanting to throw up, not necessarily the act itself.
吐き気がして、何も食べられない。
I feel nauseous and can't eat anything.
Formal/medical term for 'vomiting'. Used in clinical settings or written reports.
患者は食後に嘔吐した。
The patient vomited after eating.
To spit out or throw up forcefully. Can also mean to disgorge or spew out.
彼は道端で吐き出した。
He threw up on the side of the road.
Onomatopoeic expression for vomiting, often used in casual or comic contexts.
飲みすぎてげーっと吐いた。
I drank too much and threw up (bleargh).
I threw up at the drinking party.