1.
bowel movement (polite/euphemistic)
A polite, euphemistic word for having a bowel movement, especially the regularity of one. Standard in medical settings, ads for digestive products, and conversation with the elderly or children.
お通じはありますか。
Are your bowel movements regular?
毎朝お通じがあって調子がいい。
I have a bowel movement every morning, so I'm doing well.
ヨーグルトを毎日食べたら、お通じがよくなった。
After eating yogurt every day, my bowel movements became more regular.
Polite お + 通じ (passing through). The polite お- is essentially fixed — saying just 通じ for this meaning sounds unnatural. Standard in clinical questions, ads, and any context where directness would feel crude.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- お通じがある: to have a bowel movement
- お通じがない: to be constipated (without a bowel movement)
- お通じがよい: to be regular
- お通じを整える: to regulate bowel movements
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 便: stool — clinical/direct
- 便通: bowel movement — medical register, without the polite お-
- 便秘: constipation