bowel movement
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bowel movement
The excretion of feces from the intestine. The term is used in medicine and in more formal language and can refer both to the process itself and to the result, the stool.
Der Arzt fragte den Patienten, ob er regelmäßigen Stuhlgang habe.
The doctor asked the patient whether he had regular bowel movements.
The word is made up of 'Stuhl' and 'Gang'. Here, 'Stuhl' is an outdated, genteel term for the toilet (compare 'Nachtstuhl', chamber pot), and 'Gang' describes the process. So it is a paraphrase for 'der Gang zur Toilette' (going to the toilet).
Eine ballaststoffreiche Ernährung fördert einen gesunden Stuhlgang.
A high-fiber diet promotes healthy bowel movements.
'Stuhlgang' is a medical term or is used in a very formal, detached context. When speaking with a doctor, it is the appropriate word; in everyday conversation among friends, you would not use it.
Der Arzt fragte nach der Häufigkeit und Konsistenz des Stuhlgangs.
The doctor asked about the frequency and consistency of the bowel movements.
Common phrases are 'Stuhlgang haben' (to have a bowel movement), 'regelmäßigen Stuhlgang haben' (to have regular bowel movements), or 'Probleme mit dem Stuhlgang haben' (to have problems with bowel movements). Adjectives often used with it include 'fest' (firm), 'weich' (soft), and 'flüssig' (liquid).
Seit einigen Tagen habe ich keinen Stuhlgang mehr.
I haven't had a bowel movement for several days.
chair / stool
In medical contexts, Stuhl mainly refers to excreted human feces. Stuhlgang usually refers to the process of excretion or a single bowel movement, but it can also refer to the resulting stool. Stuhl is therefore more appropriate for the material, while Stuhlgang is more appropriate for the process.
Die Ärztin fragt den Patienten, wann er zuletzt Stuhlgang hatte.
The doctor asks the patient when he last had a bowel movement.
Die Ärztin untersucht den Stuhl des Patienten im Labor.
The doctor is examining the patient's stool in the laboratory.
