便秘(べんぴ)

便秘(べんぴ) refers to constipation. It can function as a noun or as a する verb (便秘(べんぴ)する, to be constipated). This is a useful word to know when visiting a doctor or pharmacy in Japan.

COMMON PATTERNS:

• 便秘(べんぴ)になる: to become constipated
• 便秘(べんぴ)する: to be constipated
• 便秘(べんぴ)に悩(なや)む: to suffer from constipation
• 便秘気味(べんぴぎみ): tending toward constipation
• 便秘(べんぴ)を解消(かいしょう)する: to relieve constipation

RELATED TERMS:

• 便秘薬(べんぴやく) / 下剤(げざい): laxative
• 下痢(げり): diarrhea (opposite condition)
• お通(つう)じ: bowel movement (euphemistic, polite)

AT THE DOCTOR:
便秘(べんぴ)がちです (I tend to get constipated) is a common way to describe chronic symptoms to a doctor.