腹八分目(はらはちぶんめ)

はらはちぶんめ
noun
eating in moderation; being 80% full
foodhealthproverb
1. eating in moderation; stopping at 80% full
the practice of eating until about 80% full rather than completely full; a traditional Japanese concept for healthy eating
腹八分目(はらはちぶんめ)が健康(けんこう)の秘訣(ひけつ)だ。
Eating in moderation is the secret to good health.
腹八分目(はらはちぶんめ)で箸(はし)を置(お)く。
I put down my chopsticks when I'm 80% full.
「腹八分目(はらはちぶんめ)に医者(いしゃ)いらず」ということわざがある。
There's a proverb that says 'Eat in moderation and you won't need a doctor.'

Forms

腹(はら) (stomach) + 八分目(はちぶんめ) (eight-tenths, 80%) → 80% full stomach

Common expressions

Cultural note

A traditional piece of Japanese health advice: stop eating before you feel completely full. It is often mentioned in discussions of healthy eating and long life, especially in Okinawa.

Related words

Related Words

Related: 食(た)べ過(す)ぎ (overeating)
Related: 節制(せっせい) (moderation, self-control)
Related: 少食(しょうしょく) (eating sparingly)
Related: 満腹感(まんぷくかん) (feeling of fullness)

Related Articles

Body-Part Idioms
general
Added 2026.1.26 8:15 · Revised 2026.9.25 0:27
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