腰が痛い
koshi ga itai
The English phrase 'my back hurts' is expressed in Japanese as 腰が痛い (koshi ga itai).
This phrase is used to express pain specifically in the lower back area. If the pain is located in your upper or middle back or along the spine, you should use a different phrase involving 背中 instead.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 腰 (koshi) refers specifically to the lower back or waist area, rather than the entire spinal column.
Which one should you use?
While 腰が痛い refers to the lower back, you should use 背中が痛い if the pain is in your upper or middle back.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai dialect, the informal phrase 背中がイタイねん can be used to say 'my back hurts'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that your back hurt in the past, change the adjective 痛い to its past tense form 痛かった, resulting in 腰が痛かった.
How do you pronounce it?
koshi ga itai
Did you know?
- The term 腰が軽い (koshi ga karui) literally means 'the lower back is light' but is used to describe someone who is quick to act or eager to help.
- While 痛い (itai) is the standard word for 'hurt', it is also used as a slang term to describe someone who is acting 'cringeworthy' or socially awkward.
- In Japanese culture, the phrase 腰を据える (koshi o sueru) literally means 'to settle the hips' but is used idiomatically to mean 'to settle down' or 'take a firm stand' in a project or life.
Examples in context
- 昨日床で寝たせいで腰が痛い。My back hurts because I fell asleep on the floor yesterday.This sentence shows how to explain a cause for the pain using the form 腰が痛い.Tatoeba #3709579 by tommy_san, translation #7766671 by metcaslix
- パソコンの前に何時間も座ってるから、腰が痛いよ。My back hurts from sitting for hours in front of the computer.This sentence demonstrates using 腰が痛い to describe pain from sitting too long.Tatoeba #11685989 by bunbuku, translation #5491806 by Akenaseryan
- 腰が痛い。My back hurts.This sentence is a simple way to state that 腰が痛い.Tatoeba #10483212 by small_snow, translation #881871 by CK
- お医者さん、私は背中に痛みを感じております。Doctor, I am feeling pain in my back.
- 申し訳ありませんが、背中が痛いです。I'm sorry, but my back hurts.
- おい、背中が痛いんだよ。Hey, my back hurts, you know.
- 最近腰がやばくて、困ってるんだよ。Lately, my back is acting up, and I'm really troubled.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At home, after both finished cleaning the house.
- 陽葵 Himari掃除のしすぎかな、腰が痛い。Souji no shisugi kana, koshi ga itai.Maybe it was too much cleaning, my back hurts.
- 健太 Kenta大丈夫？無理しないでね。Daijoubu? Muri shinaide ne.Are you okay? Don't overdo it.
- 陽葵 Himariうん、少し横になるよ。Un, sukoshi yoko ni naru yo.Yeah, I'm going to lie down for a bit.
- 健太 Kenta僕も腰が痛いから、一緒に休もう。Boku mo koshi ga itai kara, issho ni yasumou.My back hurts too, so let's rest together.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
