腹八分(はらはちぶ)

はらはちぶ
noun
eating until 80% full; moderate eating
1. eating until about 80 percent full; eating in moderation
The practice of stopping eating before feeling completely full, regarded as good for health. Also said as 腹八分目(はらはちぶんめ).
腹八分(はらはちぶ)で止(と)めておく。
I stop at 80 percent full.
医者(いしゃ)に腹八分(はらはちぶ)を勧(すす)められた。
The doctor advised me to eat in moderation.
昔(むかし)から「腹八分(はらはちぶ)に医者(いしゃ)いらず」と言(い)われている。
Since old times it has been said that eating to 80 percent keeps the doctor away.

Often expanded to 腹八分目(はらはちぶんめ). Expresses the traditional idea that stopping before one is full is good for health and longevity.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 腹八分(はらはちぶ)に医者(いしゃ)いらず: eating to 80 percent keeps the doctor away (proverb)
  • 腹八分目(はらはちぶんめ)にする: to eat to about 80 percent full

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 満腹(まんぷく): full stomach — the contrasting fully-fed state
general
Added 2026.7.19 9:19
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