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A2 noun #10,000 most common 9 min read

下痢

geri Top 10,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 下痢 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 下痢 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to understand that '下痢' (geri) is a word for being sick in your stomach. You don't need to use it perfectly yet. Most A1 learners use 'お腹が痛い' (onaka ga itai - my stomach hurts) for everything. However, if you are in Japan and you go to a pharmacy, you might see this word on a box of medicine. It is helpful to recognize the sound 'geri'. If a doctor asks you '下痢ですか？', they are asking if you have diarrhea. You can answer with 'はい' (yes) or 'いいえ' (no). At this stage, just focus on the connection between the word and the physical feeling of having an upset stomach. You might also hear the word 'geri' in simple health warnings. Remember: 'geri' = bad stomach. It is a very direct word, so you don't need to worry about complex grammar yet. Just knowing it as a noun is enough. If you have to say it, just say 'Geri desu'.

At the A2 level, you should be able to use '下痢' in simple sentences to describe your health. This is a key word for the 'Health' topic in A2. You should know how to use it with the verb 'する' (suru) to say '下痢をする' (to have diarrhea). You should also be able to add simple adjectives like 'ひどい' (hidoi - bad/severe). For example: 'ひどい下痢です' (It's bad diarrhea). You should be able to use it to explain why you are late or why you can't go to a party. '下痢なので、今日はお休みします' (Because I have diarrhea, I will be absent today). You should also recognize the word '下痢止め' (geridome) in a store so you can buy the right medicine. This level is about practical survival, and being able to tell a pharmacist or a friend that your stomach is 'loose' is a very practical skill. You should also start to distinguish it from '腹痛' (fukutsuu - stomach pain).

At the B1 level, you can use '下痢' to discuss causes and effects. You should be able to explain *why* you have it, perhaps using grammar like '〜のせいで' (because of...). For example, '古い魚を食べたせいで、下痢になりました' (I got diarrhea because I ate old fish). You should also be comfortable with the potential form and frequency. '牛乳を飲むと、下痢をしやすいです' (When I drink milk, I tend to get diarrhea easily). At this level, you can also start using more natural expressions like 'お腹を下す' (onaka wo kudasu) to sound less clinical in casual conversations. You should be able to understand basic medical advice given in Japanese about what to eat when you have diarrhea, such as 'おかゆ' (rice porridge) or 'スポーツドリンク' (sports drinks). You are moving beyond just naming the symptom to discussing it as part of a larger health context.

At the B2 level, you can use '下痢' in more formal or detailed discussions. You can describe the duration, the specific nature of the symptom, and its impact on your daily life with more complex grammar. You might use terms like '慢性的な' (manseiteki na - chronic) or '突発的な' (toppatsuteki na - sudden). You can also understand and discuss the social aspects of health in Japan, such as how to politely decline food that might cause '下痢' without being rude. You will encounter the word in news reports about food safety or public health. For example, 'ノロウイルスの主な症状は下痢と嘔吐です' (The main symptoms of norovirus are diarrhea and vomiting). You should be able to read medical brochures that explain the mechanism of diarrhea and the importance of hydration (水分補給 - suibun hokyuu). Your vocabulary is expanding to include related terms like '脱水症状' (dassui shoujou - dehydration).

At the C1 level, you have a nuanced understanding of '下痢' and its place in Japanese society and medical discourse. You can discuss the word's etymology and its use in literature or historical contexts. You are comfortable with clinical terminology such as '水様便' (suiyouben - watery stool) or '粘血便' (nenketsuben - bloody mucoid stool) which might appear in professional medical reports. You can engage in deep conversations about healthcare systems, the prevalence of stress-related digestive issues (like IBS) in the Japanese workforce, and the cultural stigma surrounding digestive health. You can interpret the tone of health-related advertisements and understand when the word is being used for shock value or for scientific accuracy. You can also write detailed reports or essays about public health issues where '下痢' is a factor, such as sanitation in developing countries or the history of cholera in Japan.

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of the word '下痢' and all its connotations. You can use it fluently in any context, from a highly technical medical symposium to a casual conversation with a close friend, adjusting your register perfectly. You understand the subtle differences between '下痢', '腹下し', and '瀉下' (shaga - a more academic term for purging). You can appreciate puns or wordplay involving the word in comedy or media. You are familiar with the history of medicine in Japan and how terms for digestive illnesses have evolved from the Edo period to the present. You can critically analyze medical research papers written in Japanese that investigate the causes of diarrhea. Your understanding is not just linguistic but also deeply cultural, recognizing how the concept of 'gut health' (腸活 - choukatsu) has become a major trend in modern Japanese lifestyle and how '下痢' is discussed within that trend.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

下痢 in 30 Seconds

下痢 (Geri) is the standard Japanese noun for diarrhea, used in medical and daily life contexts.
It is most commonly used in the phrase '下痢をする' (geri wo suru) to mean 'to have diarrhea'.
It is a crucial word for visiting pharmacies (looking for '下痢止め') or clinics in Japan.
While clinical, it is polite enough for medical use but often replaced by 'upset stomach' in casual social talk.

The word 下痢 (げり - geri) is the standard Japanese term for diarrhea. Linguistically, it is composed of two kanji characters: 下 (shita/ka), meaning 'down' or 'below', and 痢 (ri), a specific character used in medical contexts to denote a condition of the bowels or purging. When combined, they literally describe the condition where waste passes 'down' and out of the body in a liquid state too quickly. In Japan, while the topic might be sensitive in casual social settings, it is a crucial term for medical consultations, pharmacies, and when discussing general health with family or close friends. It is not considered a 'curse word' or vulgar slang, but rather a clinical and direct noun. However, in polite company, people might use euphemisms like お腹の調子が悪い (onaka no choushi ga warui - my stomach condition is bad) to avoid being too graphic. Understanding this word is essential for anyone living in or traveling to Japan, as food changes or travel fatigue often lead to digestive issues. You will see this word on the packaging of over-the-counter medications like the famous 正露丸 (Seirogan). It is also frequently used in veterinary contexts or when discussing childcare. The word functions primarily as a noun, but it is almost always paired with the verb する (suru) to mean 'to have diarrhea'.

Clinical Usage: Used by doctors to diagnose symptoms. For example, '下痢が続いていますか？' (Has the diarrhea been continuing?).
Everyday Health: Used by parents to describe a child's condition or by individuals explaining why they cannot attend work or school.

昨日からひどい下痢で、外に出られません。 (I've had terrible diarrhea since yesterday and can't go out.)

The nuance of 下痢 is purely physical. Unlike some English slang terms that might have metaphorical meanings (like 'verbal diarrhea'), in Japanese, 下痢 is strictly related to the digestive system. If you are at a drugstore (yakkyoku), you would look for the section labeled 下痢止め (geridome), which means anti-diarrheal medication. The suffix 止め (dome) comes from 止める (tomeru), meaning 'to stop'. Thus, a 'diarrhea stopper'. It is important to distinguish this from 腹痛 (fukutsuu), which is a general stomach ache. While they often occur together, they are distinct symptoms. A doctor will often ask if you have both or just one. In the context of the CEFR A2 level, you are expected to be able to describe basic symptoms to a professional, making this a high-priority vocabulary word for practical survival Japanese. Despite its slightly unpleasant meaning, mastering the correct pronunciation (ge-ri, with a short 'e' and a flapped 'r') is vital to avoid confusion with words like giri (duty/obligation).

食べすぎると、すぐに下痢をしてしまいます。 (If I eat too much, I immediately get diarrhea.)

Using 下痢 correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a noun and how it interacts with various verbs and particles. The most common construction is 下痢をする (geri wo suru), which translates to 'to have diarrhea'. Note that in Japanese, you 'do' diarrhea rather than 'have' it in the possessive sense used in English. Another common verb is 下痢になる (geri ni naru), meaning 'to become/develop diarrhea'. This is often used when discussing the result of a specific cause, such as 'I got diarrhea from the water'. When describing the severity, adjectives like ひどい (hidoi - terrible/severe) or 軽い (karui - light/mild) are placed before the noun.

With Particles: Use 'が' (ga) to state the condition as a fact: '下痢が止まらない' (The diarrhea won't stop). Use 'で' (de) to indicate the reason: '下痢で学校を休む' (Absent from school due to diarrhea).

海外旅行に行くと、いつも下痢になります。 (Whenever I go on an overseas trip, I always get diarrhea.)

In more advanced or formal medical contexts, you might encounter the term 水様便 (suiyouben), which means 'watery stool', but 下痢 remains the standard term for the symptom itself. When talking about chronic conditions, you might hear 慢性的な下痢 (manseiteki na geri - chronic diarrhea). Conversely, a sudden onset is 急性の下痢 (kyuusei no geri - acute diarrhea). If you are describing the symptoms of a pet, the structure remains the same: '犬が下痢をしています' (The dog is having diarrhea). In Japanese culture, discussing bodily functions is usually kept private, so if you are in a restaurant and feel unwell, simply saying 'お腹が痛い' (onaka ga itai) is sufficient. However, if you are at a clinic or talking to a pharmacist, being specific with 下痢 is necessary for correct treatment. For example, if you need medicine, you would say '下痢止めの薬をください' (Please give me some anti-diarrhea medicine). The word is also used in compound words like 下痢便 (geriben - diarrheal stool), though this is much more clinical and less common in daily speech.

牛乳を飲むと、すぐに下痢をしてしまう体質です。 (I have a constitution where I get diarrhea immediately if I drink milk.)

You will encounter the word 下痢 in several specific environments in Japan. The most common is the 病院 (byouin - hospital) or 内科 (naika - internal medicine clinic). When filling out a medical questionnaire (問診票 - monshinhyou), there is almost always a checkbox for 下痢 under the 'symptoms' section. Doctors will use it matter-of-factly to diagnose your condition. Another place is the 薬局 (yakkyoku - pharmacy) or drugstore. Look for signs in the medicine aisle that say '整腸薬' (seichouyaku - intestinal medicine) or '下痢止め' (geridome). These sections are very common, as digestive issues are a frequent topic in Japanese health culture due to the prevalence of raw food (sushi/sashimi) and the high-stress work environment which can lead to irritable bowel symptoms.

TV Commercials: Commercials for products like 'Seirogan' or 'Loperamide' products frequently use the word '下痢' to explain what the medicine treats, often accompanied by helpful animations of the digestive tract.
Health Education: In schools, children are taught about hygiene and '食中毒' (shokuchuudoku - food poisoning), where '下痢' is listed as a primary symptom to watch out for.

「先生、昨夜から下痢がひどくて、熱もあります。」 (Doctor, I've had bad diarrhea since last night and I have a fever too.)

In the workplace, if you need to call in sick, you might use the word with your supervisor, though it's often more polite to say '胃腸の具合が悪い' (ichou no guai ga warui - my stomach and intestines are in bad condition). However, among close colleagues, being specific might be accepted. Furthermore, in the news or on public health posters, especially during the summer months when food spoilage is common, 下痢 is used to warn the public about outbreaks of norovirus or O-157. You might also hear it in the context of 'stress-induced' symptoms. Japan has a high rate of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), known in Japanese as 過敏性腸症候群 (kabinsei chou shoukougun), where 下痢 is a primary topic of discussion in health magazines and online forums. Understanding the word allows you to navigate these health-related conversations and media reports effectively.

One of the most common mistakes learners make with 下痢 is confusing it with other stomach-related terms. For example, many students use 腹痛 (fukutsuu) and 下痢 (geri) interchangeably. While they often happen at the same time, 腹痛 specifically refers to the pain (stomach ache), whereas 下痢 refers to the state of the stool. You can have a stomach ache without diarrhea, and occasionally, you can have diarrhea without significant pain. Another mistake is the pronunciation. As mentioned before, 下痢 (geri) sounds very similar to 義理 (giri). Giri means social obligation or duty (like in 'giri-choko' or 'obligation chocolate'). Mixing these up can lead to very confusing or accidentally humorous situations, such as saying 'I have a severe social obligation' when you mean you have a stomach issue.

Verb Usage Error: Learners often try to say '下痢がある' (geri ga aru - I have diarrhea). While understandable, the natural way to say it is '下痢をしている' (geri wo shite iru - I am having diarrhea) or '下痢だ' (geri da - It is diarrhea).

× 私は下痢があります。 (Incorrect possessive usage)
○ 私は下痢をしています。 (Correct 'doing' usage)

Another nuance is the social appropriateness. While 下痢 is a standard word, using it repeatedly in a social setting like a dinner party is considered 'nama-namashii' (too vivid/graphic). Learners should be careful not to over-share details. In English, we might say 'I have an upset stomach', which is vague. In Japanese, お腹を壊す (onaka wo kowasu), literally 'to break one's stomach', is the perfect equivalent for 'upset stomach' and is often safer to use than 下痢 in casual conversation. Lastly, be careful with the kanji. The character 痢 is quite complex and is not a Jōyō kanji (daily use kanji) taught in early elementary school, though it is widely recognized. When writing, many people use hiragana (げり) instead of the complex kanji, and that is perfectly acceptable and common.

There are several words related to 下痢 that help refine your meaning or adjust your politeness level. The most common alternative is お腹を下す (onaka wo kudasu). This is a verb phrase that means 'to have loose bowels'. It feels slightly more natural in conversation than the clinical noun 下痢. Another related term is 軟便 (nanben), which literally means 'soft stool'. This is used in medical contexts to describe a condition that is not quite full diarrhea but is not normal either. On the opposite end of the spectrum is 便秘 (benpi), which means constipation. Knowing these as a pair is very helpful for medical visits.

下痢 (Geri) vs. お腹を壊す (Onaka wo kowasu): 'Geri' is the symptom name. 'Onaka wo kowasu' is the action of getting an upset stomach (often resulting in diarrhea).
下痢 (Geri) vs. 水下痢 (Mizugeri): 'Mizugeri' is more specific, meaning 'watery diarrhea'. It is used to describe a more severe state.

冷たいものを飲みすぎて、お腹を下してしまいました。 (I drank too many cold things and my bowels got loose.)

If you are looking for a very polite way to say you have diarrhea without using the word, you can say お腹の調子が優れません (onaka no choushi ga suguremasen), which means 'my stomach condition is not excellent'. For children, parents often use the word ぴーぴー (pii-pii), an onomatopoeia for the sound of liquid flow. A parent might ask, 'お腹、ぴーぴーなの？' (Is your tummy going pii-pii?). This is cute and child-friendly, but should never be used in a professional or formal adult context. Finally, 腹下し (harakudashi) is an older, slightly more colloquial term for diarrhea that you might encounter in literature or among older generations. Understanding these variations allows you to choose the right word for the right situation, whether you are talking to a toddler, a doctor, or a boss.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji '痢' is specifically used for diseases that involve discharging, such as '赤痢' (sekiri - dysentery).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɡe.ɾi/

US /ɡe.ri/

In standard Japanese (Tokyo dialect), the pitch is usually low on 'ge' and high on 'ri' (Heiban pattern).

Rhymes With

Kiri (fog) Chiri (dust) Hiri (non-principle) Miri (millimeter) Siri (Siri/backside - slangy) Tori (bird) Nori (seaweed) Yuri (lily)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'geri' like 'giri' (obligation).
Using a hard English 'R' instead of the Japanese flap.
Elongating the 'e' to sound like 'geeri'.
Stressing the first syllable too heavily like English 'GERRY'.
Confusing the pitch accent with 'kiri' (fog).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Kanji for 'ri' is complex but common in medical contexts.

Writing 4/5

The kanji 痢 has many strokes and is hard to memorize.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce but watch the pitch accent.

Listening 2/5

Clear sound, but don't confuse with 'giri'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

お腹痛い病気薬トイレ

Learn Next

便秘嘔吐発熱診断処方箋

Advanced

過敏性腸症候群消化不良胃潰瘍十二指腸腸内細菌

Grammar to Know

〜をしやすい (Easy to do...)

私は下痢をしやすいです。

〜のせいで (Because of... negative)

食べ過ぎのせいで下痢になった。

〜が続く (Something continues)

下痢が三日も続いている。

〜気味 (A touch of...)

風邪で少し下痢気味だ。

〜てしまう (Regretful action)

牛乳を飲んで下痢をしてしまった。

Examples by Level

下痢です。

It is diarrhea.

Simple noun + copula (desu).

下痢をしました。

I had diarrhea.

Noun + past tense of 'suru'.

下痢ですか？

Is it diarrhea?

Question form using 'ka'.

下痢の薬、ありますか？

Is there medicine for diarrhea?

Using 'no' to modify 'kusuri' (medicine).

ひどい下痢です。

It is severe diarrhea.

Adjective 'hidoi' modifying the noun.

下痢が止まりません。

The diarrhea won't stop.

Subject marker 'ga' + negative potential/continuing verb.

昨日、下痢でした。

Yesterday, it was diarrhea.

Past tense of 'desu'.

お腹が痛くて、下痢です。

My stomach hurts and I have diarrhea.

Connecting two sentences with 'te' form.

下痢をしているので、今日は休みます。

Since I'm having diarrhea, I will take the day off today.

Using 'node' to provide a reason.

変なものを食べて、下痢をしました。

I ate something strange and got diarrhea.

Te-form for sequence of events.

下痢止めの薬を飲んでください。

Please take some anti-diarrhea medicine.

Te-form + kudasai for a request.

子供が下痢をしているんです。

My child is having diarrhea.

Using 'n desu' for explanation/emphasis.

下痢のときは、水をたくさん飲んでください。

When you have diarrhea, please drink a lot of water.

'Toki' (when) used with a noun.

旅行中に下痢になると困ります。

It's a problem if I get diarrhea during the trip.

'Naru to' (if/when it becomes).

下痢はもう治りましたか？

Is the diarrhea better already?

'Mou' (already) + 'naoru' (to recover).

少し下痢気味なので、お酒は飲みません。

I have a slight touch of diarrhea, so I won't drink alcohol.

Suffix 'gimi' (slight tendency/touch of).

ストレスが原因で下痢になることがあります。

There are times when stress causes diarrhea.

Noun + 'ga gen'in de' (with stress as the cause).

下痢が三日以上続く場合は、病院に行ってください。

If the diarrhea lasts for more than three days, please go to the hospital.

'Baai wa' (in the case of).

その薬は下痢の症状を和らげます。

That medicine eases the symptoms of diarrhea.

'Yawarageru' (to ease/soften).

下痢をしやすい体質なので、食べ物には気をつけています。

Since I have a constitution that easily gets diarrhea, I am careful about food.

Verb stem + 'yasui' (easy to do).

激しい下痢と吐き気が同時に起こりました。

Severe diarrhea and nausea occurred at the same time.

'Douji ni' (at the same time).

下痢がひどいので、脱水症状が心配です。

Since the diarrhea is severe, I am worried about dehydration.

'Dassui shoujou' (dehydration symptoms).

冷たい牛乳を飲むと、必ず下痢をしてしまいます。

If I drink cold milk, I always end up getting diarrhea.

Te-shimau (regretful completion).

下痢の症状が改善されないなら、精密検査が必要です。

If the diarrhea symptoms don't improve, a detailed examination is necessary.

'Kaizen' (improvement) + 'nara' (if).

この地域では、汚染された水による下痢が流行しています。

In this area, diarrhea caused by contaminated water is prevalent.

Noun + 'ni yoru' (caused by).

下痢は、体が毒素を排出しようとする防御反応の一つです。

Diarrhea is one of the defensive reactions where the body tries to expel toxins.

'Youto suru' (trying to do).

抗生物質の副作用で下痢になることがよくあります。

It often happens that one gets diarrhea as a side effect of antibiotics.

'Fukusayou' (side effect).

慢性的な下痢は、過敏性腸症候群の可能性があります。

Chronic diarrhea could potentially be Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

'Kanousei ga aru' (there is a possibility).

下痢が続くと、体力が著しく消耗します。

If diarrhea continues, physical strength is significantly depleted.

'著しく' (significantly/remarkably).

衛生状態が悪いと、感染性の下痢が広がりやすくなります。

When hygiene conditions are poor, infectious diarrhea spreads easily.

'Eisei joutai' (hygiene state).

下痢を伴う腹痛がある場合は、すぐに受診してください。

If you have stomach pain accompanied by diarrhea, please see a doctor immediately.

'Womononau' (to accompany).

適切な水分補給が、下痢の治療において最も重要です。

Proper hydration is the most important thing in the treatment of diarrhea.

'Ni oite' (in/regarding).

下痢による経済的損失は、途上国において無視できない問題です。

Economic loss due to diarrhea is a problem that cannot be ignored in developing countries.

'Mushi dekinai' (cannot be ignored).

臨床試験の結果、新薬は下痢の発生率を大幅に減少させました。

As a result of clinical trials, the new drug significantly reduced the incidence of diarrhea.

'Rinshou shiken' (clinical trial).

過剰な食物繊維の摂取が、逆に下痢を引き起こすこともあります。

Excessive intake of dietary fiber can conversely cause diarrhea.

'Gyakuni' (conversely).

下痢のメカニズムを解明することは、消化器病学の重要な課題です。

Elucidating the mechanism of diarrhea is an important task in gastroenterology.

'Kaimei suru' (to elucidate/clarify).

その患者は、数ヶ月間にわたって断続的な下痢に悩まされていました。

The patient had been suffering from intermittent diarrhea for several months.

'Ni watatte' (over a period of).

食中毒の集団発生により、多くの住民が下痢の症状を訴えました。

Due to a mass outbreak of food poisoning, many residents complained of diarrhea symptoms.

'Shuudan hassei' (mass outbreak).

精神的な不安が自律神経を乱し、下痢を誘発することがあります。

Mental anxiety can disturb the autonomic nervous system and trigger diarrhea.

'Yuuhatsu suru' (to trigger/induce).

幼児の下痢においては、早期の電解質補充が不可欠です。

In the case of diarrhea in infants, early electrolyte replenishment is essential.

'Fukaketsu' (indispensable).

下痢という言葉は、古くは『瀉下』とも称され、医学史において多様な治療法が試みられてきた。

The term for diarrhea was called 'shaga' in ancient times, and various treatments have been attempted in medical history.

Passive voice 'shimi-rarete kita' (have been attempted).

腸内フローラの不均衡が、難治性の下痢の一因であると考えられている。

Imbalance of intestinal flora is thought to be a factor in refractory diarrhea.

'Ichi-in' (one cause/factor).

大規模な自然災害の後には、避難所での下痢の蔓延を防ぐことが急務となる。

After a large-scale natural disaster, preventing the spread of diarrhea in shelters becomes an urgent matter.

Kyuumu (urgent task).

下痢の頻度と性状を詳細に記録することで、診断の精度が向上する。

Recording the frequency and characteristics of diarrhea in detail improves diagnostic accuracy.

'Seijou' (characteristics/nature).

コレラ菌による激越な下痢は、歴史的に幾多のパンデミックを引き起こしてきた。

Violent diarrhea caused by the cholera bacterium has historically triggered numerous pandemics.

'Gekitetsu' (violent/fierce).

下痢の抑制と排便習慣の正常化は、QOL（生活の質）の向上に直結する。

Suppression of diarrhea and normalization of bowel habits are directly linked to the improvement of QOL.

'Chokketsu suru' (to be directly linked).

特定の食物に対する不耐症が、潜在的な下痢の背景にある場合も少なくない。

It is not uncommon for intolerance to specific foods to be in the background of latent diarrhea.

'Sukunakunai' (not a few/common).

下痢の病態生理学的な解析により、新たな治療標的が同定されつつある。

Through pathophysiological analysis of diarrhea, new therapeutic targets are being identified.

'Tsutsu aru' (in the process of).

Common Collocations

下痢をする

下痢になる

ひどい下痢

下痢止め

慢性的下痢

水のような下痢

下痢気味

下痢と嘔吐

下痢を抑える

感染性の下痢

Common Phrases

下痢が止まらない

— The diarrhea won't stop. Used when symptoms are persistent.

朝から下痢が止まらなくて困っています。

下痢しやすい

— Prone to diarrhea. Describes a person's constitution.

私は昔から下痢しやすいタイプです。

下痢に効く

— Effective against diarrhea. Used for medicine or food.

この薬は下痢にとてもよく効きます。

下痢の症状

— Symptoms of diarrhea. Used in medical contexts.

下痢の症状はいつからですか？

下痢の原因

— Cause of diarrhea.

下痢の原因を調べる必要があります。

ひどい下痢に襲われる

— To be attacked by severe diarrhea. Dramatic expression.

夜中にひどい下痢に襲われた。

下痢で脱水になる

— To become dehydrated due to diarrhea.

下痢で脱水にならないよう注意してください。

下痢気味の子供

— A child with a touch of diarrhea.

下痢気味の子供にはお粥を食べさせます。

下痢を伴う風邪

— A cold accompanied by diarrhea (stomach flu).

下痢を伴う風邪が流行っています。

下痢でお腹が空く

— To feel hungry despite having diarrhea (often after it passes).

下痢が治ったら、急にお腹が空いてきた。

Often Confused With

下痢 vs 義理 (Giri)

Means duty/obligation. Sounds very similar.

下痢 vs 下り (Kudari)

Means downhill or outbound train. Uses the same first kanji.

下痢 vs 蹴り (Keri)

Means a kick. Pronounced similarly.

Idioms & Expressions

"下痢便のような"

— Used to describe something very messy or of poor consistency (rare/vulgar).

この泥は下痢便のようだ。

Slang/Vulgar

"口の下痢"

— A translation of 'verbal diarrhea' (not common in native Japanese).

彼は口の下痢だ。

Loan Translation

"下痢に見舞われる"

— To be struck by diarrhea (as if by a disaster).

旅先で下痢に見舞われた。

Literary

"下痢を催す"

— To feel the urge to have diarrhea.

急に下痢を催した。

Formal

"下痢が引く"

— For diarrhea to subside.

ようやく下痢が引いてきた。

Neutral

"下痢を流す"

— To flush away diarrhea (literal).

トイレで下痢を流す。

Neutral

"下痢を固める"

— To firm up the stool (medical goal).

薬で下痢を固める。

Clinical

"下痢に耐える"

— To endure/hold back diarrhea.

会議中、下痢に耐えるのは辛かった。

Neutral

"下痢を散らす"

— To treat/disperse the diarrhea (older medical nuance).

漢方で下痢を散らす。

Archaic

"下痢を飼う"

— To have chronic diarrhea (metaphorical, rare).

万年下痢を飼っているようなものだ。

Colloquial

Easily Confused

下痢 vs 腹痛

Both involve the stomach.

Fukutsuu is the pain; Geri is the watery stool.

腹痛はあるが、下痢はしていない。

下痢 vs 軟便

Both describe loose stool.

Nanben is just soft; Geri is liquid and frequent.

今日は下痢ではなく軟便だ。

下痢 vs 便秘

Opposite conditions.

Benpi is constipation; Geri is diarrhea.

下痢と便秘を繰り返している。

下痢 vs 嘔吐

Often occur together in illness.

Outo is vomiting; Geri is from the other end.

下痢と嘔吐で脱水になった。

下痢 vs 食中毒

Cause vs Symptom.

Shokuchuudoku is food poisoning; Geri is a symptom of it.

食中毒で下痢がひどい。

Sentence Patterns

[Noun] です。

下痢です。

[Noun] をしました。

下痢をしました。

[Noun] なので、[Reason]。

下痢なので、休みます。

[Cause] で [Noun] になる。

風邪で下痢になる。

[Noun] 気味です。

下痢気味です。

[Noun] が続く。

下痢が続いています。

[Noun] を伴う [Symptom]。

下痢を伴う腹痛。

[Noun] の蔓延を防ぐ。

下痢の蔓延を防ぐ。

Word Family

Nouns

下痢 (diarrhea)

下痢止め (anti-diarrheal)

水下痢 (watery diarrhea)

寝下痢 (diarrhea while sleeping/nocturnal)

Verbs

下痢する (to have diarrhea)

下す (to have loose bowels)

Adjectives

下痢気味な (diarrhetic-ish)

腹痛 (stomach pain)

嘔吐 (vomiting)

脱水 (dehydration)

便所 (toilet)

腸 (intestines)

How to Use It

frequency

High in medical and health contexts.

Common Mistakes

下痢がある (Geri ga aru) → 下痢をしている (Geri wo shite iru)
In Japanese, you don't 'have' diarrhea like a possession; you 'do' it.
下り (Kudari) for Diarrhea → 下痢 (Geri)
Kudari means 'downward' or 'outbound train'.
Using 'Geri' at a dinner table. → お腹の調子が悪い (Onaka no choushi ga warui)
Geri is too graphic for mealtime conversation.
Confusing 'Geri' with 'Giri'. → 下痢 (Geri)
Giri means social obligation. Saying 'I have a bad obligation' when you are sick is confusing.
Writing 痢 without the sick radical. → 痢
The 'yamai-dare' radical is essential for medical kanji.

Tips

Pronunciation

Make sure the 'e' in 'ge' is short. If you say 'gee', it sounds like a different word.

Warm Drinks

If you tell a Japanese person you have '下痢', they will likely tell you to drink something warm. Cold drinks are thought to cause it.

Hydration

Always mention 'suibun hokyuu' (hydration) when discussing '下痢' in a health context.

Radical

The 'ri' kanji uses the 'yamai-dare' (sick) radical. This radical is used in many words for illnesses like 'byou' (病).

Washlets

Japanese toilets have a 'bidet' function which is very helpful when you have '下痢'. Look for the 'oshiri' button.

Suru vs Naru

Use 'suru' for the act/state and 'naru' for the onset/result.

Compounds

Learn 'geridome' (stopper) as it's the most useful compound.

Vagueness

Be vague in social settings. 'Onaka wo kowashita' is much more common than 'Geri desu'.

TV Ads

Watch Japanese pharmaceutical ads; they are a great way to hear '下痢' used naturally.

Hiragana

If you are texting a friend, 'げり' in hiragana is more common and feels less 'heavy' than the kanji.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of things going 'DOWN' (下) and the 'RE' (痢) sound like 'release'. Geri = Down Release.

Visual Association

Imagine an arrow pointing down from a stomach icon.

Word Web

Stomach Toilet Medicine Water Sick Bacteria Pain Emergency

Challenge

Try to find the '下痢止め' section in a Japanese drugstore like Matsumoto Kiyoshi.

Word Origin

The term comes from Classical Chinese medical terminology. '下' means down, and '痢' means a disease of the bowels.

Original meaning: To purge or discharge downwards.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Cultural Context

Avoid using the word in dining contexts or formal introductions.

English speakers often use 'upset stomach' to be polite, whereas Japanese speakers might use 'onaka no choushi ga warui'.

Seirogan commercials Shin-chan's stomach episodes Medical dramas like 'Doctor X'

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Clinic

下痢が続いています。
昨夜から下痢です。
血便はありますか？
下痢止めをください。

At the Pharmacy

一番効く下痢止めはどれですか？
子供用の下痢止めはありますか？
下痢と吐き気があります。
この薬は下痢に効きますか？

With Friends/Family

お腹下しちゃった。
下痢で辛い。
何か悪いもの食べたかな？
トイレ行ってくる。

At Work (Calling in sick)

下痢がひどくて伺えません。
胃腸の調子が悪いので休みます。
下痢で病院に行きます。
明日には治ると思います。

Travel/Hotels

水でお腹を壊しました。
近くに薬局はありますか？
下痢で気分が悪いです。
お粥を作ってもらえますか？

Conversation Starters

"最近、お腹の調子はどうですか？ (How has your stomach been lately?)"

"旅行中に下痢になったことはありますか？ (Have you ever had diarrhea during a trip?)"

"下痢のとき、何を食べますか？ (What do you eat when you have diarrhea?)"

"一番いい下痢止めを知っていますか？ (Do you know the best anti-diarrhea medicine?)"

"辛いものを食べると下痢をしますか？ (Do you get diarrhea when you eat spicy food?)"

Journal Prompts

今日はお腹の調子が良くなかった。下痢の原因は何だと思う？ (My stomach wasn't good today. What do I think the cause of the diarrhea was?)

下痢で一日中家にいた時の気持ちを書いてください。 (Write about how you felt when you stayed home all day due to diarrhea.)

日本の薬局で下痢止めを買った時の経験を書いてください。 (Write about your experience buying anti-diarrhea medicine at a Japanese pharmacy.)

健康のために気をつけていることと、下痢の予防について。 (About what you do for your health and preventing diarrhea.)

子供が下痢になった時、親としてどう対応しますか？ (How do you respond as a parent when your child gets diarrhea?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is a standard medical term. It is not 'rude' but it is 'graphic'. In a clinic, use it. At a dinner table, use 'onaka no choushi ga warui' instead.

Say '下痢止めの薬をください' (Geri-dome no kusuri wo kudasai).

It is 'pii-pii' (ぴーぴー). Parents ask 'Onaka pii-pii nano?'

No, it is a noun. You must add 'suru' (to do) or 'naru' (to become).

Seirogan (正露丸) is the most famous over-the-counter medicine for diarrhea in Japan.

Yes, 'お腹を下す' (onaka wo kudasu) or 'お腹の調子が悪い' (onaka no choushi ga warui) are better for social situations.

It's 下 (down) + 痢 (bowel disease). The second kanji is hard, so hiragana げり is fine.

No, it only means diarrhea. But watch out for 'giri' (obligation).

Eat 'Okayu' (rice porridge) and drink 'Pocari Sweat' (an electrolyte drink).

Yes, due to food spoilage in the heat, 'shokuchuudoku' (food poisoning) and 'geri' are common topics in summer.