이 페이지를 내 언어로

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A1 noun #2,000 가장 일반적인 9분 분량

肚子

duzi 상위 2,000

At the A1 level, 肚子 is introduced as a fundamental vocabulary word for body parts. Learners primarily use it to express basic physical needs and discomforts. The most common phrases taught at this level are 肚子饿 (hungry) and 肚子疼 (stomachache). These are essential survival phrases for anyone traveling to a Chinese-speaking region. The grammatical structure is very simple, usually following a Subject + 肚子 + Adjective/Verb pattern. For example, 我肚子饿了 (My belly is hungry). At this stage, the focus is on practical communication rather than anatomical precision. Learners are also taught the correct pronunciation, specifically the neutral tone on the second character 子 (zi), which is crucial for sounding natural. 肚子 is often one of the first nouns learners encounter when studying how to describe physical states, making it a cornerstone of early vocabulary acquisition.

At the A2 level, learners expand their use of 肚子 to include more descriptive and action-oriented sentences. They learn to describe the state of the belly in more detail, such as 吃饱了肚子 (having eaten until the belly is full) or 拉肚子 (having diarrhea). The vocabulary surrounding 肚子 becomes richer, incorporating verbs like 摸 (to touch/rub) and adjectives like 大 (big) or 小 (small). Learners at this stage can construct sentences like 他吃得太多，肚子很大 (He ate too much, his belly is very big). They also begin to use 肚子 in the context of visiting a doctor, learning how to point out specific areas of discomfort. The distinction between 肚子 (general belly) and other basic body parts is solidified, allowing for more confident and varied daily conversations regarding health and eating habits.

At the B1 level, the usage of 肚子 transitions from purely literal to slightly figurative and idiomatic. Learners encounter phrases where 肚子 represents internal capacity or hidden emotions. For instance, the phrase 满肚子话 (a belly full of words) is used to describe someone who has a lot to say but hasn't said it yet. Another common expression is 坏肚子 (to ruin the stomach / get food poisoning). At this intermediate stage, learners are expected to understand context clues to determine whether 肚子 is being used literally or metaphorically. They also learn to differentiate 肚子 from more specific medical terms like 胃 (stomach), understanding that 肚子 is colloquial while 胃 is anatomical. This level marks a significant step in conversational fluency, as learners can express nuances of discomfort and emotional states using this versatile word.

At the B2 level, learners are exposed to a wide array of idioms (成语) and colloquialisms (俗语) that feature the word 肚子. They learn expressions like 肚子里有墨水 (having ink in the belly), which metaphorically means someone is highly educated or literate. They also encounter phrases like 一肚子坏水 (a belly full of bad water), meaning someone is full of malicious schemes. At this upper-intermediate level, the focus is on cultural fluency and understanding the cultural connotations of the belly as a receptacle for thoughts, emotions, and knowledge in Chinese philosophy. Learners can comfortably use 肚子 in complex sentence structures and narratives, such as describing a comedic situation where someone 笑破了肚子 (laughed until their belly burst). Mastery at this level involves knowing exactly when to use these colorful expressions to sound more like a native speaker.

At the C1 level, the understanding of 肚子 is highly nuanced, involving advanced literature, formal speech, and deep cultural contexts. Learners encounter 肚子 in classical references or modern literary works where it might symbolize profound internal struggles or deep-seated cultural values. They understand the subtle register differences between 肚子, 腹部, and 肠胃, and can seamlessly switch between them depending on whether they are writing an academic paper, reading a medical report, or engaging in a casual debate. Idioms like 满腹经纶 (full of learning) are understood as the formal equivalent of 肚子里有墨水. C1 learners can appreciate the humor, sarcasm, or gravity in how native speakers manipulate the word 肚子 in various social settings, demonstrating a near-native grasp of its semantic range.

At the C2 level, learners possess a native-like mastery of 肚子 and all its related concepts. They can effortlessly deconstruct and utilize the most obscure regional dialects, historical idioms, and literary metaphors involving the belly. They understand the etymological roots of the flesh radical (月) and how ancient Chinese medicine viewed the abdomen as the center of Qi (energy). A C2 speaker can play with the word in creative writing, poetry, or high-level rhetoric. They intuitively grasp the socio-linguistic implications of terms like 啤酒肚 (beer belly) or 将军肚 (general's belly) in modern Chinese society, using them to make astute observations about culture, health, and lifestyle. At this pinnacle of proficiency, 肚子 is not just a vocabulary word, but a lens through which to view and articulate complex Chinese cultural paradigms.

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁

肚子 30초 만에

Refers to the belly or abdomen.
Used for hunger (肚子饿) and pain (肚子疼).
Pronounced with a neutral tone on 'zi'.
Figuratively means inner thoughts or knowledge.

The Chinese word 肚子 (dù zi) primarily refers to the belly, stomach, or abdomen. It is one of the most fundamental body part vocabulary words learned at the CEFR A1 level. Understanding 肚子 is essential for daily communication, especially when expressing basic human needs such as hunger or physical discomfort. The character 肚 (dù) contains the flesh radical (月), which is a common component in characters related to body parts, while 子 (zi) is a noun suffix that makes the word bisyllabic, a common feature in modern Mandarin. When we talk about the belly in Chinese, we use 肚子 in both literal and figurative contexts. Literally, it refers to the physical midsection of the body. Figuratively, it can refer to one's inner thoughts, feelings, or level of education, though these usages are more advanced. Let us explore the various dimensions of this essential word through detailed examples and structured explanations.

Literal Meaning: The physical abdomen or stomach area of a human or animal.

我肚子饿了。(My belly is hungry.)

Medical Context: Used broadly to describe gastrointestinal issues without specifying the exact organ.

他今天拉肚子。(He has diarrhea today.)

Figurative Meaning: Represents the mind or inner capacity, often related to knowledge or hidden emotions.

他肚子里有墨水。(He is well-educated / has ink in his belly.)

不要把话憋在肚子里。(Don't keep your words hidden inside your belly.)

她挺着大肚子。(She has a big belly / is heavily pregnant.)

The concept of the belly in Chinese culture extends beyond mere anatomy. It is often viewed as the center of the body's energy and emotions. When someone is angry, they might have a belly full of anger (满肚子火). When someone is pregnant, they have a big belly (大肚子). The versatility of this word makes it a cornerstone of expressive Chinese communication. By mastering 肚子, learners unlock the ability to express a wide range of physical states and emotional metaphors. It is a word that bridges the gap between basic survival vocabulary and nuanced, culturally rich expressions. Furthermore, the phonetic structure of 肚子, with its falling tone followed by a neutral tone, provides excellent practice for learners mastering the rhythm and cadence of spoken Mandarin. The neutral tone on 子 is crucial; pronouncing it with a full third tone (zǐ) sounds unnatural and marks the speaker as a beginner. Therefore, practicing the pronunciation of 肚子 is just as important as understanding its meaning. In summary, 肚子 is a multifaceted word that serves as a foundational building block for any student of the Chinese language.

Using 肚子 correctly involves understanding its collocations and the specific verbs that pair naturally with it. As a noun, 肚子 typically functions as the subject or object in a sentence. The most common verbs used with 肚子 relate to physical sensations, such as hurting (疼), being hungry (饿), or being full (饱). It is important to note that in Chinese, we often say the belly is hungry or the belly hurts, rather than saying I am hungry or I hurt, though both are acceptable. This structural difference is a key aspect of Chinese syntax that learners must grasp. Let us examine the specific ways 肚子 is deployed in everyday sentences.

Subject of Sensation: 肚子 often acts as the subject when describing physical feelings.

我的肚子很痛。(My stomach hurts a lot.)

Object of Action: 肚子 can be the object of verbs like rubbing, patting, or filling.

他摸了摸肚子。(He rubbed his belly.)

Idiomatic Usage: Used in fixed phrases to convey complex emotional or physical states.

吃坏了肚子。(Ate something bad / got food poisoning.)

笑破了肚子。(Laughed until the belly burst / laughed extremely hard.)

一肚子坏水。(A belly full of bad water / full of evil tricks.)

When constructing sentences with 肚子, pay attention to the adjectives used to describe it. A big belly is 大肚子, which can refer to obesity or pregnancy depending on the context. A small or flat belly is 平肚子. In medical contexts, if you visit a doctor in China, pointing to your midsection and saying 肚子疼 is the universal way to report abdominal pain. The doctor might then ask specific questions to differentiate between stomach (胃) pain and intestinal (肠) pain, but 肚子 serves as the perfect general term. Furthermore, the phrase 拉肚子 (to pull the belly) is the standard, everyday term for diarrhea. It is informal but entirely acceptable in almost all spoken contexts. Understanding these collocations and sentence patterns ensures that you sound natural and fluent when discussing anything related to the abdomen. The flexibility of 肚子 allows it to seamlessly integrate into both simple A1 sentences and complex, idiomatic expressions at higher levels of proficiency.

The word 肚子 is ubiquitous in Chinese daily life. You will hear it in homes, restaurants, hospitals, and casual conversations among friends. Because food and eating are central to Chinese culture, discussions about the state of one's 肚子 are incredibly common. It is not considered impolite to talk about being hungry or having a stomachache; in fact, expressing concern for someone else's 肚子 is a sign of care and intimacy. Let us explore the various environments and contexts where this word frequently appears.

At the Dining Table: Discussions about hunger, fullness, and capacity.

我的肚子已经饱了。(My belly is already full.)

At the Clinic or Hospital: Reporting symptoms to medical professionals.

医生，我肚子不舒服。(Doctor, my stomach is uncomfortable.)

In Casual Gossip: Talking about pregnancy or weight gain.

你看他的大肚子。(Look at his big belly / beer belly.)

她肚子里有宝宝了。(She has a baby in her belly / is pregnant.)

气死我了，一肚子气。(I'm so mad, a belly full of anger.)

In Chinese media, such as television dramas and movies, you will frequently hear characters complaining about their 肚子. Comedic scenes often involve someone holding their belly and running to the restroom because they 吃坏了肚子 (ate something bad). In romantic or family dramas, a mother might lovingly touch her pregnant 肚子. In martial arts or historical dramas, you might hear idioms like 满肚子委屈 (a belly full of grievances). The word is so deeply ingrained in the language that it transcends formal and informal boundaries, though it leans heavily toward the colloquial. When traveling in China, knowing how to say 肚子饿了 (hungry) or 肚子疼 (stomachache) are essential survival phrases. You will hear parents asking their children, 肚子饿不饿？ (Is your belly hungry?). You will hear friends joking about their beer bellies (啤酒肚). The ubiquity of 肚子 makes it a high-frequency word that learners will encounter almost immediately upon beginning their Chinese language journey. Its presence in everyday dialogue underscores the practical, body-centric nature of foundational Chinese vocabulary.

While 肚子 is a relatively simple word, learners often make a few predictable mistakes regarding its pronunciation, usage, and differentiation from similar anatomical terms. The most frequent error is phonetic: mispronouncing the neutral tone on the second character. Another common mistake is confusing 肚子 with 胃 (stomach), using them interchangeably when Chinese speakers make a subtle distinction. Additionally, learners sometimes translate English idioms literally, resulting in awkward Chinese phrases. Let us break down these common pitfalls to help you use 肚子 with native-like accuracy.

Pronunciation Error: Pronouncing 子 with a full third tone instead of a neutral tone.

Correct: dù zi (neutral tone). Incorrect: dù zǐ. 肚子

Confusing 肚子 and 胃: Using 胃 (stomach organ) when referring to general belly pain or hunger.

Natural: 我肚子饿了。 Unnatural: 我胃饿了。

Literal Translation of Idioms: Trying to translate 'butterflies in my stomach' literally.

Wrong: 我肚子里有蝴蝶。 (Chinese speakers will think you ate bugs!)

Right: 我很紧张。(I am very nervous.)

Wrong: 我的肚子痛 (when referring to menstrual cramps). Better: 痛经.

To avoid these mistakes, always remember that 肚子 is a colloquial, broad term. When you say 肚子疼, it could mean you need to use the restroom, you ate something bad, or you have a general ache. If you have a specific medical condition like gastritis, you would use 胃痛 (stomach pain). Another minor grammatical mistake learners make is adding unnecessary measure words. While you can say 一个肚子 (one belly), it is rarely necessary unless you are counting bellies (e.g., in a drawing class). Usually, just saying 肚子 is sufficient. Also, be careful with the phrase 搞大肚子 (to make the belly big). This is a highly informal, somewhat vulgar slang term for getting someone pregnant out of wedlock. Use it with extreme caution, or better yet, avoid it entirely and use standard terms like 怀孕 (pregnant). By being aware of these nuances, you can navigate the usage of 肚子 smoothly and avoid unintentional comedic or awkward situations. Practice the neutral tone diligently, as it is the hallmark of a good accent.

In Chinese, there are several words related to the abdominal area, each with its own specific nuance and appropriate context. Understanding the differences between 肚子, 胃, 腹部, and 肠胃 is crucial for expanding your vocabulary from basic to advanced levels. While 肚子 is the everyday, catch-all term for the belly, the other terms are used in more specific, formal, or medical contexts. Let us compare these similar words to clarify their distinct roles in the Chinese language.

肚子 (dù zi) vs. 胃 (wèi): 肚子 is the general outer belly. 胃 is the specific internal stomach organ.

我肚子饿了 (I am hungry) vs. 我胃痛 (I have a stomach ulcer/gastritis).

肚子 (dù zi) vs. 腹部 (fù bù): 腹部 is the formal, anatomical term for abdomen. 肚子 is colloquial.

锻炼腹部肌肉 (Exercise abdominal muscles) vs. 减掉大肚子 (Lose the big belly).

肚子 (dù zi) vs. 肠胃 (cháng wèi): 肠胃 refers to the digestive system (intestines and stomach) as a whole.

他肠胃不好 (His digestive system is weak) vs. 他肚子疼 (His belly hurts right now).

保护肠胃健康 (Protect digestive health).

填饱肚子 (Fill the belly / satisfy hunger).

To summarize, 肚子 is your go-to word for daily life. It is friendly, informal, and universally understood. 胃 is specific to the stomach organ and is used when discussing gastric issues. 腹部 is formal and anatomical, used in fitness, medicine, and formal writing. 肠胃 is a collective term for the digestive tract, often used when discussing long-term health, diet, or chronic digestive issues. As a beginner, mastering 肚子 is your first priority. As you progress to intermediate and advanced levels, incorporating 胃, 腹部, and 肠胃 into your vocabulary will allow you to speak more precisely and appropriately depending on the formality of the situation. Remember that Chinese vocabulary often operates on this spectrum of colloquial to formal, and choosing the right word demonstrates not just linguistic competence, but cultural awareness.

How Formal Is It?

격식체

비격식체

속어

난이도

쓰기 3/5

알아야 할 문법

수준별 예문

我肚子饿了。

I am hungry.

Subject + 肚子 + 饿 + 了 (change of state).

他肚子疼。

His stomach hurts.

Subject + 肚子 + 疼 (adjective used as predicate).

你的肚子大吗？

Is your belly big?

Simple question using 吗.

我吃饱了，肚子不饿。

I am full, my belly is not hungry.

Negative statement with 不.

小狗的肚子很小。

The puppy's belly is very small.

Possessive 的 used with body parts.

她摸摸肚子。

She rubbed her belly.

Verb reduplication 摸摸 for a brief action.

今天我肚子不舒服。

Today my stomach is uncomfortable.

Time word 今天 at the beginning.

水喝多了，肚子胀。

Drank too much water, belly is bloated.

Cause and effect structure.

昨天晚上我拉肚子了。

I had diarrhea last night.

拉肚子 is a separable verb phrase.

医生，我肚子右边疼。

Doctor, the right side of my stomach hurts.

Directional word 右边 modifying 肚子.

他吃坏了肚子，不能去上课。

He got food poisoning and can't go to class.

Resultative complement 坏.

孕妇的肚子一天天变大。

The pregnant woman's belly gets bigger day by day.

一天天 indicates gradual change.

别空着肚子喝咖啡。

Don't drink coffee on an empty stomach.

空着肚子 describes the state while performing an action.

他笑得肚子都疼了。

He laughed so hard his stomach hurt.

Degree complement with 得.

我肚子里咕咕叫。

My stomach is rumbling.

Onomatopoeia 咕咕.

吃点热的东西，肚子会舒服些。

Eat something hot, your stomach will feel better.

Conditional relationship.

他满肚子都是委屈，却说不出来。

He is full of grievances but can't speak them out.

满肚子 used metaphorically.

不要把话憋在肚子里，说出来吧。

Don't keep it bottled up inside, say it.

憋在肚子里 means to hold back words.

那个喜剧电影让我笑破了肚子。

That comedy movie made me laugh my head off.

Exaggeration: 笑破了肚子.

他虽然没上过大学，但肚子里很有货。

Although he didn't go to college, he is very knowledgeable.

肚子里有货 means having substance/knowledge.

这几天肠胃感冒，肚子总是隐隐作痛。

Stomach flu these days, belly always has a dull ache.

隐隐作痛 is a four-character descriptive phrase.

他挺着个啤酒肚，走起路来很慢。

He has a beer belly and walks very slowly.

挺着 indicates protruding.

我一肚子火，你别惹我。

I'm full of anger, don't provoke me.

一肚子火 means extremely angry.

她把秘密烂在了肚子里。

She took the secret to her grave (let it rot in her belly).

烂在肚子里 means never revealing a secret.

这个人一肚子坏水，你最好离他远点。

This person is full of bad intentions, you'd better stay away.

Idiom: 一肚子坏水.

他肚子里有几滴墨水，就喜欢卖弄。

He has a little bit of knowledge and loves to show off.

Metaphor: 肚子里有墨水.

面对指责，他只能把苦水往肚子里咽。

Facing accusations, he could only swallow his bitterness.

往肚子里咽 means to suffer in silence.

这篇文章空洞无物，作者肚子里没词儿了。

This article is empty; the author has run out of words.

肚子里没词儿 means lacking vocabulary or ideas.

她是个直肠子，心里想什么就说什么，肚子里藏不住事。

She is straightforward, says what she thinks, and can't hide things.

肚子里藏不住事 means unable to keep secrets.

饿着肚子工作效率太低了。

Working on an empty stomach is too inefficient.

饿着肚子 as an adverbial phrase.

中医认为，肚子是人体气血汇聚的地方。

Traditional Chinese medicine believes the abdomen is where Qi and blood converge.

Formal context using 肚子.

他拍着胸脯保证，结果却是一肚子草包。

He promised confidently, but turned out to be completely incompetent.

一肚子草包 means incompetent/worthless.

满腹经纶的学者，往往不会把学问挂在嘴边，而是藏在肚子里。

Scholars full of learning often don't boast about it, but keep it inside.

Contrast between 满腹经纶 and 藏在肚子里.

这官僚一肚子男盗女娼，表面上却道貌岸然。

This bureaucrat is full of villainy inside, but appears respectable on the surface.

Strong derogatory idiom.

她把所有的委屈和辛酸都揉碎了咽进肚子里。

She crushed all her grievances and bitterness and swallowed them.

Poetic and highly descriptive use of verbs.

不经意间，他露出了将军肚，显现出中年发福的迹象。

Inadvertently, he revealed his 'general's belly', showing signs of middle-aged weight gain.

将军肚 is a polite/humorous term for a big belly.

所谓“宰相肚里能撑船”，是形容一个人宽宏大量。

The saying 'a prime minister's belly can pole a boat' describes someone who is magnanimous.

Famous proverb.

他那点小心思，我早就看透了他肚子里的蛔虫。

I saw through his little schemes long ago; I'm like the roundworm in his belly.

肚子里的蛔虫 means knowing someone's innermost thoughts.

饥荒年代，人们为了填饱肚子，连树皮都吃。

During the famine, people even ate tree bark just to fill their bellies.

Historical context.

这篇文章虽然辞藻华丽，但肚子里空空如也，缺乏实质内容。

Although this article has flowery language, it is completely empty inside, lacking substance.

空空如也 applied to 肚子.

纵然他有经天纬地之才，若逢生不辰，也只能将一肚子抱负付诸东流。

Even if he has world-shaping talents, if born at the wrong time, he can only let his belly full of ambitions wash away.

Classical phrasing mixed with modern idiom.

那老朽看似昏庸，实则肚子里大有乾坤，不可小觑。

That old man seems senile, but actually has a universe in his belly; he cannot be underestimated.

肚子里大有乾坤 implies hidden depths or profound secrets.

世态炎凉，多少人表面称兄道弟，背地里却是一肚子算计。

The world is fickle; how many call each other brothers to their faces, but harbor a belly full of calculations behind their backs.

Philosophical observation on human nature.

他洋洋洒洒写下万言书，将满肚子不合时宜的牢骚倾泻而出。

He wrote a ten-thousand-word petition, pouring out his belly full of untimely complaints.

Advanced vocabulary (洋洋洒洒, 不合时宜).

所谓大智若愚，便是将锋芒尽数敛于肚内，不露圭角。

Great wisdom appears like stupidity; it is hiding all sharpness within the belly, showing no edges.

Literary metaphor for humility.

在这物欲横流的社会，能守住肚子里那点纯真，实属不易。

In this materialistic society, being able to guard that bit of innocence in one's belly is truly not easy.

肚子 representing the soul or inner sanctuary.

他那篇杂文嬉笑怒骂，皆成文章，实则是借题发挥，吐尽胸中、肚子里的块垒。

His essay, full of mockery and scolding, is a masterpiece; it's actually using a pretext to spit out the blockages in his chest and belly.

块垒 refers to indignation or depression.

古人云“腹有诗书气自华”，这“腹”便是肚子，藏书万卷，气质自然超凡脱俗。

The ancients said 'a belly with poetry and books naturally shines'; this 'belly' is the stomach, storing ten thousand scrolls makes one's aura naturally extraordinary.

Connecting classical Chinese (腹) with modern Chinese (肚子).

자주 쓰는 조합

肚子疼

肚子饿

拉肚子

大肚子

坏肚子

空肚子

饱肚子

揉肚子

挺肚子

一肚子

자주 쓰는 구문

肚子饿了

肚子不舒服

吃坏了肚子

笑破肚子

满肚子话

一肚子气

填饱肚子

饿着肚子

肚子咕咕叫

肚子里有墨水

자주 혼동되는 단어

肚子 vs 胃

肚子 vs 腹部

肚子 vs 胸部

관용어 및 표현

혼동하기 쉬운

肚子 vs

문장 패턴

사용법

note

While 肚子 is generally safe to use, be cautious with the phrase 大肚子. Calling someone an 大肚子 directly can be offensive if they are just overweight, but it is standard slang for a pregnant woman. Context and tone of voice are everything.

자주 하는 실수

Pronouncing 子 as zǐ instead of the neutral tone zi.
Saying 我胃饿了 instead of 我肚子饿了 when hungry.
Translating 'butterflies in my stomach' literally to 肚子里有蝴蝶.
Using 肚子 to refer to the chest area (胸部).
Forgetting that 拉肚子 is a separable verb and saying 拉肚子三天 instead of 拉了三天肚子.

팁

Master the Neutral Tone

The biggest giveaway of a foreign accent is pronouncing 子 as a full third tone. Practice saying 'dù' strongly and letting 'zi' just fall out of your mouth naturally and quietly.

Omit 'My'

In English, we say 'My stomach hurts'. In Chinese, you can just say '肚子疼' (Belly hurts). The 'my' (我的) is implied and often dropped in casual speech.

Warm Water

If you tell a Chinese friend '我肚子疼', they will almost certainly tell you to drink hot water (多喝热水). This is a deeply ingrained cultural remedy for stomach issues.

Separable Verb

Remember that 拉肚子 is a separable verb. You can say 拉了三天肚子 (had diarrhea for three days), putting the duration in the middle.

Learn the Radical

Memorize the flesh radical (月). Once you know it, you will easily recognize dozens of other body parts in Chinese, making vocabulary acquisition much faster.

Metaphorical Belly

Start noticing how often Chinese uses the belly to represent the mind or emotions. It will help you understand idioms like 满腹牢骚 (full of complaints) much more intuitively.

Doctor Visits

If you go to a hospital in China, 肚子疼 is the best starting phrase. The doctor will then press on your belly and ask '这里疼吗？' (Does it hurt here?) to pinpoint the issue.

Beer Belly

Want to joke with your friends? Learn the word 啤酒肚 (pí jiǔ dù) for beer belly. It's a fun, common slang term used worldwide.

Proportions

When writing 肚, make sure the 月 radical takes up about 1/3 of the width, and the 土 takes up 2/3. This ensures the character looks balanced.

Listen for 'Gugu'

If you hear someone say '咕咕叫' (gū gū jiào) near the word 肚子, they are talking about their stomach rumbling from hunger. It's a fun onomatopoeia!

암기하기

기억법

Imagine a piece of meat (月) resting on the ground (土) making a big belly shape. The child (子) rubs his belly because he is hungry.

어원

The character 肚 consists of the radical 月 (which originally depicted meat/flesh 肉) indicating a body part, and 土 (tǔ) acting as the phonetic component. 子 is a common noun suffix added in modern Mandarin to make words bisyllabic.

문화적 맥락

It is perfectly polite to talk about your 肚子 in casual settings. Saying you have a stomachache is a valid excuse for missing an event.

Because eating is central to Chinese socializing, ensuring everyone's 肚子 is full is the primary duty of a good host.

In traditional Chinese medicine, keeping the 肚子 warm is crucial for health. Exposing the belly to cold air is believed to cause illness.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

대화 시작하기

"你肚子饿不饿？我们去吃饭吧。(Are you hungry? Let's go eat.)"

"我肚子有点不舒服，能借用一下洗手间吗？(My stomach is a bit uncomfortable, can I use the restroom?)"

"你看他那个大肚子，肯定是喝啤酒喝的。(Look at his big belly, must be from drinking beer.)"

"别生气了，气坏了肚子不值得。(Don't be angry, it's not worth ruining your stomach over it.)"

"今天吃坏肚子了，只能喝粥。(Got food poisoning today, can only eat porridge.)"

일기 주제

Describe a time when you had a terrible stomachache (肚子疼). What did you do?

Write about your favorite food that always fills your belly (填饱肚子).

Use the idiom '肚子里有墨水' to describe someone you admire.

How does your culture view a 'big belly'? Compare it to Chinese culture.

Write a short dialogue between a doctor and a patient who has a stomachache.

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

Yes and no. In English, 'stomach' is often used to mean the general belly area ('my stomach hurts'). In Chinese, 肚子 serves this general purpose. However, if you mean the specific internal organ, the Chinese word is 胃 (wèi).

The radical 月 on the left of 肚 is actually the 'flesh' or 'meat' radical (肉字旁), which evolved to look exactly like the moon character. It is used in almost all characters related to body parts, like 腿 (leg), 胳膊 (arm), and 脑 (brain).

Yes, absolutely. '我肚子很饿' (My belly is very hungry) is extremely natural and common. You can also simply say '我饿了' (I am hungry). Both are perfectly acceptable.

The most common and colloquial way to say this is 拉肚子 (lā dù zi), which literally translates to 'pulling the belly'. It is used by everyone in daily life.

It literally means 'having ink in the belly'. In Chinese culture, it is a metaphor for being well-educated, learned, or literate. It implies that a person has consumed a lot of books and knowledge.

Not at all. Discussing hunger (肚子饿) or a mild stomachache (肚子疼) is completely normal and not considered impolite in Chinese culture. It is a standard part of daily conversation.

There is no difference in meaning; both mean 'stomachache'. 疼 (téng) is more commonly used in Northern China, while 痛 (tòng) is more frequently used in Southern China and Taiwan.

Yes. You can talk about a dog's belly (狗的肚子) or a cat's belly (猫的肚子). It applies to the abdominal area of any mammal.

It translates to 'a belly full of fire'. It is a common idiom used to describe someone who is extremely angry or furious, holding a lot of rage inside.

It is a neutral tone (轻声). It should be pronounced very lightly and quickly, without any rising or falling pitch. Think of it as a short, unstressed syllable at the end of the word.