Stomachache is a common physical symptom often linked to stress or poor diet in Japanese culture.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Refers to pain specifically located in the stomach area.
- Commonly caused by stress, overeating, or excessive alcohol intake.
- Used in both medical contexts and everyday casual conversation.
概要
「胃痛（いつう）」は、胃の不快感や痛みを指す名詞です。日常会話から医療現場まで幅広く使われる言葉で、身体的な痛みだけでなく、精神的なストレスが原因で起こる場合にもよく使用されます。2) 使用パターン: 「胃痛がする」「胃痛に悩む」「胃痛を抑える」のように使われます。動詞の「する」と組み合わせるのが最も一般的です。また、形容詞の「激しい」「ひどい」を伴って、痛みの程度を表すことも多いです。3) 一般的な文脈: 現代社会ではストレス社会と言われることもあり、仕事のプレッシャーや人間関係の悩みからくる胃痛を訴える人が非常に多いです。また、暴飲暴食や刺激物の摂取など、食生活の乱れに関連して使われることも日常的です。4) 類語との比較: 「腹痛（ふくつう）」は腹部全体の痛みを指す広い言葉ですが、「胃痛」は胃という特定の部位に限定した表現です。また、「胃もたれ」は痛みを伴うこともありますが、主に消化不良による重苦しさを指すため、鋭い痛みを表す「胃痛」とはニュアンスが異なります。
Examples
昨日から胃痛がします。
everydayI have had a stomachache since yesterday.
激しい胃痛のため、欠席いたします。
formalI will be absent due to severe stomach pain.
胃痛で何も食べられないよ。
informalI can't eat anything because of my stomachache.
慢性的な胃痛はストレスが要因であることが多い。
academicChronic stomach pain is often caused by stress.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
胃痛薬を飲む
Take stomach medicine
ストレスによる胃痛
Stomachache caused by stress
胃痛が和らぐ
Stomach pain subsides
Often Confused With
Refers to general abdominal pain. Use this if you are not sure if the pain is specifically in the stomach.
Refers to a feeling of heaviness or indigestion rather than sharp pain. It is less severe than itsuu.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Itsuu is a noun that is almost always used with the verb 'suru'. It is neutral in register but leans formal when describing symptoms to a doctor. Avoid using it to describe pain in other parts of the body.
Common Mistakes
Beginners often confuse 'itsuu' with 'fukutsuu'. Remember that 'itsuu' is specific to the stomach, while 'fukutsuu' is the general term for belly pain. Also, ensure you use the particle 'ga' before 'suru'.
Tips
Use with verbs of pain
Combine with 'ga suru' to express the symptom naturally. For example, 'Itsuu ga suru' is the most common way to say 'I have a stomachache'.
Avoid confusing with general pain
Do not use 'itsuu' for general abdominal pain. If the pain is lower in the stomach, use 'fukutsuu' instead.
Stress culture in Japan
In Japan, mentioning 'itsuu' is a standard way to signal that you are under significant work pressure. It is socially understood as a sign of dedication or overwork.
Word Origin
The word is a compound of 'i' (stomach) and 'tsuu' (pain/ache). Both are Sino-Japanese characters (kanji) widely used in medical terminology.
Cultural Context
In Japan, stomach issues are frequently discussed in the workplace as a side effect of high-pressure environments. It is a culturally accepted reason for taking a break or leaving early.
Memory Tip
Think of 'I' (stomach) + 'tsuu' (pain). If you have 'I-tsuu', you need to rest your stomach.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions「腹痛」はお腹全体が痛い時に使う広い言葉です。「胃痛」は胃のあたりに限定して痛い時に使う、より具体的な表現です。
「激しい胃痛がある」や「胃痛がひどくて何も食べられない」のように表現します。痛みの程度を強調したい場合は「ひどい」を使うのが自然です。
日本ではストレス、過労、暴飲暴食が三大原因としてよく挙げられます。特に仕事の忙しさが原因である場合が多いです。
はい、医師に対しても問題なく使えます。より正確に伝えたい場合は「胃が痛みます」と動詞で伝えると丁寧です。
Test Yourself
昨日、食べ過ぎて___がする。
食べ過ぎは胃に負担をかけるため、胃痛が適切です。
胃痛の症状として最も適切なものは？
胃痛は胃の部位の痛みを指します。
（ひどい / 胃痛 / が / します）
形容詞は名詞を修飾し、動詞が文末に来るのが基本です。
Score: /3
Summary
Stomachache is a common physical symptom often linked to stress or poor diet in Japanese culture.
- Refers to pain specifically located in the stomach area.
- Commonly caused by stress, overeating, or excessive alcohol intake.
- Used in both medical contexts and everyday casual conversation.
Use with verbs of pain
Combine with 'ga suru' to express the symptom naturally. For example, 'Itsuu ga suru' is the most common way to say 'I have a stomachache'.
Avoid confusing with general pain
Do not use 'itsuu' for general abdominal pain. If the pain is lower in the stomach, use 'fukutsuu' instead.
Stress culture in Japan
In Japan, mentioning 'itsuu' is a standard way to signal that you are under significant work pressure. It is socially understood as a sign of dedication or overwork.
Examples
4 of 4昨日から胃痛がします。
I have had a stomachache since yesterday.
激しい胃痛のため、欠席いたします。
I will be absent due to severe stomach pain.
胃痛で何も食べられないよ。
I can't eat anything because of my stomachache.
慢性的な胃痛はストレスが要因であることが多い。
Chronic stomach pain is often caused by stress.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More health words
異変がある
B1To have an unusual change or abnormality.
異常な
B1Abnormal; unusual; irregular.
擦り傷
B1Scratch, graze, abrasion.
吸収する
B1To absorb.
禁酒
B1Abstinence from alcohol; the act of refraining from alcohol.
痛む
A2to hurt; to ache
鍼灸
B1Acupuncture and moxibustion; traditional Chinese medicine treatments.
急性的
B1Acute.
急性な
B1Acute
急性の
B1Acute; sudden and severe.
