下痢をしています
geri o shiteimasu
To say "I have diarrhea" in Japanese, use 下痢をしています (geri o shiteimasu).
This phrase is used to state that you are currently experiencing frequent, liquid bowel movements. In a medical setting, such as a pharmacy or a doctor's office, you can communicate your symptom clearly by simply saying the noun 下痢 followed by です.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 下痢をしています is composed of 下痢 (diarrhea), the particle o (the object marker) and shiteimasu (the progressive form of "to do").
Which one should you use?
You can use the shorter phrase 下痢です to state the condition itself. For casual conversation with friends or family, you can use the shortened version 下痢してる.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
下痢をしています is a standard polite way to describe the action. 下痢です is a shorter, polite way to state the condition. 下痢してる is an informal version used in casual settings.
How do you pronounce it?
geri o shiteimasu
Did you know?
- Japanese culture often favors indirectness regarding bodily functions, so using the word 下痢 in a social setting, even if polite, can feel surprisingly blunt or 'too much information' to some listeners.
- In Japan, if you experience sudden stomach issues in public, you might look for a sign that says お手洗い (otearai) or 化粧室 (keshou-shitsu) rather than a sign for a 'toilet'.
- In Japanese, you can describe diarrhea as 下痢気味 (geri-gimi), meaning you are 'tending toward' or 'feeling a bit' like you have diarrhea, even if it hasn't fully started.
Examples in context
- 下痢をしています。geri o shite imasu.I have diarrhea.
- すみません、少し下痢をしています。sumimasen, sukoshi geri o shite imasu.Excuse me, I have a bit of diarrhea.
- 今日は朝から下痢をしています。kyou wa asa kara geri o shite imasu.I have had diarrhea since this morning.
Example conversation
Kenta is explaining his condition to Misaki at a cafe.
- 健太 Kenta実は、下痢をしています。jitsu wa, geri o shite imasu.Actually, I have diarrhea.
- 美咲 Misaki大丈夫ですか？無理しないでくださいね。daijoubu desu ka? muri shinai de kudasai ne.Are you okay? Please don't push yourself.
- 健太 Kentaありがとうございます。少し休みます。arigatou gozaimasu. sukoshi yasumimasu.Thank you. I will rest a little.
- 美咲 Misakiお大事にしてください。odaiji ni shite kudasai.Please take care of yourself.
