腹(はら)

はら
noun
belly, stomach, abdomen
See also: お腹(なか) (polite form)
1. belly, stomach
The front part of the body containing the digestive organs.
腹(はら)が減(へ)った。
I'm hungry.
腹(はら)が痛(いた)い。
My stomach hurts.
腹(はら)いっぱい食(た)べた。
I ate until I was full.
犬(いぬ)の腹(はら)を撫(な)でた。
I rubbed the dog's belly.
腹(はら)を壊(こわ)したようだ。
It seems I have an upset stomach.
2. mind, heart
One's true feelings or intentions (figurative).
腹(はら)が立(た)つ。
To get angry.
腹(はら)を割(わ)って話(はな)しましょう。
Let's speak frankly.
彼(かれ)の腹(はら)が読(よ)めない。
I can't figure out what he's thinking.
腹(はら)を決(き)めた。
I made up my mind.
腹黒(はらぐろ)い人(ひと)には気(き)をつけて。
Be careful of scheming people.

腹(はら) literally means belly or abdomen, but is used extensively in figurative expressions relating to emotions, intentions, and resolve. In Japanese culture, the belly is traditionally seen as the seat of one's true feelings.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS (literal):

  • 腹(はら)が減(へ)る: to be hungry
  • 腹(はら)が痛(いた)い: to have a stomachache
  • 腹(はら)を壊(こわ)す: to have an upset stomach

COMMON EXPRESSIONS (figurative):

  • 腹(はら)が立(た)つ: to get angry
  • 腹(はら)を割(わ)って話(はな)す: to speak frankly ("split open the belly")
  • 腹(はら)を決(き)める: to make up one's mind
  • 腹(はら)が読(よ)めない: can't figure out what someone is thinking

COMPOUNDS:

  • 空腹(くうふく): hunger (empty belly)
  • 満腹(まんぷく): full stomach
  • 腹黒(はらぐろ)い: scheming, malicious ("black-bellied")

Note: More colloquial than 胃(い) (stomach as an organ) or お腹(なか) (politer word for belly).

basic
Added 2026.1.9 21:17 · Revised 2026.4.1 8:52
02000/02165_hara