Proverb / Kotowaza
五臓六腑
One's entire body or the depths of one's soul.
the five viscera and the six bowels
Quick Answer
One's entire body or the depths of one's soul.
- Literal Image
- the five viscera and the six bowels
- How to Use It
- Used when describing something that feels deeply satisfying, something that deeply moves the heart, or a feeling of being refreshed from within.
Meaning
This expression refers to all the internal organs of the body according to traditional medicine. It is used to describe a sensation that permeates the whole body or an emotion that comes from the very bottom of one's heart.
Literal Image
the five viscera and the six bowels
How to Use It
Used when describing something that feels deeply satisfying, something that deeply moves the heart, or a feeling of being refreshed from within.
Tone
Neutral and versatile; it can be used for physical sensations or deep emotional resonance.
Examples
冷えたビールが五臓六腑に染み渡る。
The cold beer permeates every fiber of my being.
彼の言葉は五臓六腑にこたえるほど、私の心を揺さぶった。
His words shook my heart so deeply that they resonated in my very soul.
美しい景色を眺めていると、五臓六腑が洗われるような気がする。
Gazing at the beautiful scenery makes me feel as if my entire body is being cleansed.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Contains technical medical kanji and is a four-character idiom, though the reading is straightforward.
五臓
ごぞう / gozo
five viscera
六腑
ろっぷ / roppu
six bowels
染み渡る
しみわたる / shimiwataru
to permeate
Usage Profile
Misread Risk
While it literally refers to organs, in modern use it is mostly metaphorical for deep satisfaction or intense emotion.
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Origin
In traditional East Asian medicine, the 'five viscera' (gozō) consist of the liver, heart, spleen, lungs, and kidneys. The 'six bowels' (roppu) consist of the gallbladder, small intestine, stomach, large intestine, bladder, and the triple burner (san jiao).
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Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.