buik

Buik is a Dutch noun meaning abdomen or belly. The term refers to the front portion of the torso between the chest and pelvis and to the abdominal organs located in that region. In anatomy, it appears in terms such as buikholte (abdominal cavity), buikspier (abdominal muscle), and buikwand (abdominal wall).

In everyday language, buik is used to describe conditions or sensations in the midsection. Common phrases include buikpijn (stomach or abdominal pain) and buikgriep (gastroenteritis or stomach flu). The word is a standard part of clinical and nonclinical Dutch vocabulary and is widely understood in Flemish Dutch as well.

Etymology and cognates: Buik is of Dutch origin and is cognate with German Bauch and English belly, reflecting shared roots in West Germanic languages. The term is related to other Germanic words describing the midsection and digestive area.

Other uses: Buik can also occur as a surname in Dutch-speaking regions. As with many body-part terms, it forms the basis for numerous compounds and idiomatic expressions across medical, anatomical, and everyday contexts.

See also: Belly, Abdomen, Gastritis.