Japanese word

体操

Pronunciation

Romajitaisō

Meaning

  • nounexercise, gymnastics

Example

母と毎朝体操をします。haha to mai asa tai sō o shi ma su

I exercise with my mother every morning.

Illustration for 体操 (exercise)

More examples

毎朝、体操をします。mai asa tai sō o shi ma su

I do gymnastics every morning.

音楽に合わせて体操をすると、楽しいです。on gaku ni a wa se te tai sō o su ru to tano shi i de su

Exercising to music is fun.

Core concept

Describes physical movement organized to train or maintain the body, from general exercise to gymnastics.

Common phrases

  • 体操をするtai sō o su ru

    do exercises

  • 軽い体操karu i tai sō

    light exercises

  • 体操の時間tai sō no ji kan

    exercise time

Similar words

運動undō: Physical activity done to keep the body healthy or fit.
エクササイズekusasaizu: Planned physical activity intended to improve health or fitness.

Definition in Japanese

健康や体力の維持・向上のために、体を動かして行う運動。ken kō ya tai ryoku no i ji kō jō no ta me ni karada o ugo ka shi te okona u un dō

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 体操 (taisō) combines 体 (tai, "body") and 操 (sō, "exercise"), referring to training the body through movement.

Usage tips

  • The familiar phrase ラジオ体操 (rajio taisō) refers to a set of broadcast calisthenics performed to music in Japan.

Related words

  • 体操するtaisōsuruexerciseverb

Word lists with this word