お通(つう)じ

おつうじ
noun
bowel movement
politehealth
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(つう)じはありますか。
Are your bowel movements regular?
毎朝(まいあさ)お通(つう)じがあって調子(ちょうし)がいい。
I have a bowel movement every morning, so I'm doing well.
ヨーグルトを毎日(まいにち)食(た)べたら、お通(つう)じがよくなった。
After eating yogurt every day, my bowel movements became more regular.

Polite お + 通(つう)じ (passing through). The polite お- is essentially fixed — saying just 通(つう)じ for this meaning sounds unnatural. Standard in clinical questions, ads, and any context where directness would feel crude.

Common collocations

  • お通(つう)じがある: to have a bowel movement
  • お通(つう)じがない: to be constipated (without a bowel movement)
  • お通(つう)じがよい: to be regular
  • お通(つう)じを整(ととの)える: to regulate bowel movements

Similar words

  • 便(べん): stool — clinical/direct
  • 便通(べんつう): bowel movement — medical register, without the polite お-
  • 便秘(べんぴ): constipation

Related Words

Compare: 便(べん) (stool)
Compare: 便秘(べんぴ) (constipation)
Related: 排便(はいべん) (defecation)
general
Added 2026.6.6 11:07 · Revised 2026.10.1 18:54
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