Have you ever been so hungry that your stomach started making loud, rumbling sounds?
Or felt your stomach rumbling and churning when your digestion was a little upset?
In Japanese, these two kinds of sounds and sensations from your belly can be expressed as:
Guu Guu (ぐうぐう)
Goro Goro (ごろごろ)
They can both describe rumbling sounds from your belly, but guu guu is typically associated with hunger, while goro goro suggests rumbling, churning, or movement inside the belly, often when your digestion is active or upset.
Differences Between “Guu Guu” and “Goro Goro”
| Expression | Meaning | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Guu Guu (ぐうぐう) | Your belly rumbling from hunger | Hungry, empty, an audible stomach growl |
| Goro Goro (ごろごろ) | Rumbling or churning inside your belly | Internal movement, digestive activity, sometimes an upset stomach |
In short:
- Guu guu → your belly is growling because you’re hungry
- Goro goro → your belly is rumbling or churning inside
Examples in Daily Life
Example 1: A hungry stomach (Guu Guu)
He had skipped breakfast, and lunchtime was still an hour away.
Suddenly, his stomach made a long, hungry growl —
guu guu…
He put a hand on his stomach and wished lunchtime would come sooner.
Example 2: An upset, rumbling belly (Goro Goro)
Something he had eaten didn’t seem to agree with him.
His belly began to rumble and churn uncomfortably —
goro goro…
He held his stomach and started wondering where the nearest bathroom was.
Try Using Them!
You skipped breakfast and now your stomach is loudly demanding food?
→ Say guu guu
Your belly is rumbling and churning, and you’re starting to worry about finding a bathroom?
→ Say goro goro
Both can sound like rumbling from your belly —
guu guu usually tells you that you’re hungry, while goro goro makes you feel the movement and churning going on inside!
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