Motto Shiritai Nihongo
Idioms using the word "腹 (stomach)"
・腹が 立つ(One’s stomach stands)
・腹を 決める(To decide one’s stomach)
・腹を 割る (reak or split one’s stomach)
・腹が 黒い(One’s stomach is black)
・自腹を 切る(to pa money out of your own pocket)

慣用句(idiom) are expressions that combine two or more words to create a different meaning.
The meaning is completely different from the original words, so it is useful to know idioms.
Idioms often use words related to the body, such as “hand (te )” and “leg (ashi )” This month, let’s learn some useful idioms that use the word stomach(hara ).”
腹が 立つ - One’s stomach stands
The meaning of hara ga tatsu is “he or she is angry.”
- Let’s Try It Out!
~ On a Train ~
A: Bさん、どうしたの? (B-san, are you OK?) 何か 怒ってる? (Are you angry about something?)
B: 今 降りた 人、私の 足を踏んだのに 何も 言わないで 降りたから、腹が 立って…。(The person who just got off stepped on my foot, but didn’t say a word, so I’m angry.)
腹を 決める - To decide one’s stomach
The meaning of hara wo kimeru is “to make up your mind.”
In Japanese idioms, the “stomach” is often thought of as a place where the heart resides.
- Let’s Try It Out!
~ B is considering whether or not to study abroad. ~
A: Bさん、この前 留学するか どうか 悩んでたけど…決めた? (B-san, you were wondering whether to study abroad the other day... Have you decided?)
B: うん。やっと 腹を 決めた!行くよ! (Yeah. I’ve finally made up my mind! I’m going!)
腹を 割る- Break or split one’s stomach
The meaning of hara wo waru is “to tell your true feelings and thoughts without hiding them.”
- Let’s Try It Out!
~ A wants to share her concerns with B ~
A: Bさん、私、腹を 割って 相談できる 人が Bさんしか いないんです。
B: 本当?(Really?) とっても 嬉しい。(That makes me so happy.) いつでも 相談して。(You can come talk to me anytime.)
腹が 黒い (腹黒い) - One’s stomach is black
The meaning of hara ga kuroi is “a person who seems kind and gentle is actually thinking bad or inappropriate things inside their mind.” It can also be described as “hara guroi.”
- Let’s Try It Out!
~ A and B are talking about C, who looks kind. ~
A: Cさんって やさしそうな 人ですよね。(C-san seems like a kind person, doesn't she?)
B: そうですか?(You think so?) 私は Cさんが よく いろんな 人の 悪口を 言ってるの 聞いたことが あります。(I’ve heard that C-san often talks badly about various people.) ちょっと 腹黒いかもしれないから気をつけて。(She might be a bit devious, so be careful.)
自腹を切る - To pay money out of your own pocket
The meaning of Jibara wo kiru is “paying money out of your own pocket that you don't actually have to pay.” It sometimes described as “jibara (one’s own stomach)” in short.
- Let’s Try It Out!
~ A got a new job ~
A: 新しい 仕事、パソコンが 必要なんだけど、自腹 かなぁ… ( I need a computer for my new job, but I wonder if I’ll have to buy it myself.)
B: たぶん、会社で 用意してくれると 思うよ。(I think your company will probably provide it.) 聞いてみたら?(Why don’t you ask them?)