生 理 的(せいりてき)

せいりてき

na-adjective

physiological; instinctive; visceral

descriptive

1. physiological; relating to bodily functions

Relating to the normal functions of a living organism. Used in scientific and medical contexts.

生理的(せいりてき)な反応(はんのう)だ。

It's a physiological reaction.

睡眠(すいみん)は生理的(せいりてき)に必要(ひつよう)なものだ。

Sleep is a physiological necessity.

空腹(くうふく)は生理的(せいりてき)な欲求(よっきゅう)の一(ひと)つである。

Hunger is one of the physiological needs.

2. instinctive; visceral; gut-level

Describing a reaction that is automatic and beyond rational control — an instinctive like or dislike. Often used to express strong, involuntary aversion.

生理的(せいりてき)に無理(むり)だ。

I just can't stand it — it's visceral.

あの人(ひと)が生理的(せいりてき)に受(う)け付(つ)けない。

I have a gut-level aversion to that person.

虫(むし)が生理的(せいりてき)に苦手(にがて)で、見(み)るだけで鳥肌(とりはだ)が立(た)つ。

I have an instinctive aversion to bugs — just seeing them gives me goosebumps.

Sense 2 is very common in everyday Japanese. 生理的(せいりてき)に無理(むり) (viscerally impossible/unbearable) and 生理的(せいりてき)に受(う)け付(つ)けない (can't tolerate on a gut level) are set phrases expressing strong involuntary aversion. This usage implies the reaction is beyond logic or reason — the speaker physically cannot tolerate something. Common collocations: 生理的(せいりてき)な欲求(よっきゅう) (physiological need), 生理的(せいりてき)食塩水(しょくえんすい) (physiological saline).

general

Added 2026.3.24 20:28 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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