横腹(よこばら)

よこばら
noun
side of the abdomen; flank
1. side of the abdomen; flank; side of the body
The area on the side of the torso, between the ribs and the hip.
走(はし)ると横腹(よこばら)が痛(いた)くなる。
My side hurts when I run.
横腹(よこばら)をつねられた。
I was pinched in the side.
運動(うんどう)中(ちゅう)に横腹(よこばら)が痛(いた)くなったら、深呼吸(しんこきゅう)をして少(すこ)し休(やす)むといい。
If you get a side stitch during exercise, take some deep breaths and rest a bit.
2. side; flank (of an object or vehicle)
The side surface of something, by extension from the body part.
車(くるま)の横腹(よこばら)にぶつけられた。
The car was hit in the side.
船(ふね)の横腹(よこばら)に大(おお)きな穴(あな)が開(あ)いた。
A large hole opened in the side of the ship.
山(やま)の横腹(よこばら)にトンネルが掘(ほ)られている。
A tunnel has been dug into the side of the mountain.

Compound of 横(よこ) (side) + 腹(はら)/腹(ばら) (belly/abdomen). The reading uses rendaku (腹(ばら)). Most commonly heard in the context of side stitches during running.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 横腹(よこばら)が痛(いた)い: my side hurts
  • 横腹(よこばら)を押(お)さえる: to hold one's side

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 脇腹(わきばら): side of the abdomen (very close synonym, slightly more common)
  • 横(よこ): side (general)
  • 側面(そくめん): side surface (more formal/technical)
general
Added 2026.4.3 6:25
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