How to Say "Diarrhea" in Japanese

下痢

geri[ɡe̞ɾʲi]

The Japanese word for "diarrhea" is 下痢 (geri).

下痢 is a noun used to describe the medical condition of diarrhea.

Meaning: medical condition (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The first kanji character in 下痢 means 'down' or 'below'.

Adding the suffix 止め (tome), meaning 'to stop', to 下痢 creates the word for anti-diarrheal medication.

geri

When describing the sensation of an upset stomach, Japanese speakers frequently use the onomatopoeic word ギュルギュル (gyuru-gyuru) to mimic the sound of gurgling intestines.
In Japan, certain traditional foods like 梅干し 'pickled plums' are culturally believed to help settle the stomach and treat 下痢 due to their organic acids.
The kanji 痢 is rare in daily writing and is often replaced by hiragana in children's books or soft medical brochures to make the condition seem less severe or scary.

下痢止めです。
Here's some medicine for diarrhea.
This sentence shows how to refer to medication for 下痢.
Tatoeba #188211 by bunbuku, translation #25350 by darinmex
昨日から下痢が続いているんです。
I've had diarrhea since yesterday.
This sentence illustrates how to describe a continuous state of 下痢.
Tatoeba #1050486 by bunbuku, translation #2609963 by WestofEden
海外に行くと必ず、時差ぼけと下痢に悩まされる。
Whenever I go abroad, I suffer from jet lag and diarrhea.
This sentence describes suffering from both jet lag and 下痢.
Tatoeba #185077 by bunbuku, translation #22208 by RJH
先生 (せんせい)、私 (わたし) は最近 (さいきん) 下痢 (げり) になっています。
Doctor, I have been having diarrhea recently.
3 more sentences on Tatoeba

Hiroto is telling Yui why he cannot go to lunch.

大翔 Hiroto

ごめん、下痢でお腹が痛いから、今日は行けない。
Gomen, geri de onaka ga itai kara, kyou wa ikenai.
Sorry, my stomach hurts because of diarrhea, so I can't go today.
結衣 Yui

大丈夫？無理しないでゆっくり休んでね。
Daijoubu? Muri shinaide yukkuri yasunde ne.
Are you okay? Don't push yourself and get some rest.
大翔 Hiroto

ありがとう。薬を飲んで寝るよ。
Arigatou. Kusuri o nonde neru yo.
Thanks. I'll take some medicine and go to sleep.
結衣 Yui

お大事にね。また明日連絡するよ。
O-daiji ni ne. Mata ashita renraku suru yo.
Get well soon. I'll contact you again tomorrow.

Sources

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