Japanese word

生理

Pronunciation

Romajiseiri

Meaning

  • nounperiod

Example

今日は生理です。kyō wa sei ri de su

I have my period today.

Illustration for 生理 (period)

More examples

旅行中に生理が始まりました。ryo kō chū ni sei ri ga haji ma ri ma shi ta

My period started while I was traveling.

Core concept

Names a regular physical process of the body and, in ordinary conversation, specifically the menstrual process.

Common phrases

  • 生理が来るsei ri ga ku ru

    get one's period

  • 生理が始まるsei ri ga haji ma ru

    one's period begins

  • 生理が遅れるsei ri ga oku re ru

    one's period is late

Similar words

月経gekkei: A formal medical term for the regular shedding of the uterine lining through the vagina.

Definition in Japanese

子宮内膜が周期的に血液とともに体外へ排出される、身体の自然な現象。shi kyū nai maku ga shū ki teki ni ketsu eki to to mo ni tai gai e hai shutsu sa re ru shin tai no shi zen na gen shō

Word origin

生理 (seiri) combines 生 (sei, "life") with 理 (ri, "order or principle"); its menstrual sense derives from the shortened expression 生理現象 (seiri genshō), "a natural bodily function."

Usage tips

  • In simple Japanese conversation, 生理 (seiri) is a direct and common way to refer to a menstrual period, but the English word "period" can also refer to time or punctuation.

Related words

  • 生理的seiritekiphysiologicalna-adjective

Word lists with this word