Japanese word

肉体的

Pronunciation

Romajinikutaiteki

Meaning

  • na-adjectivephysical

Example

この仕事は肉体的にきついです。ko no shi goto wa niku tai teki ni ki tsu i de su

This work is physically demanding.

Illustration for 肉体的 (physical)

More examples

長時間の肉体的な作業には、適度な休憩が必要です。chō ji kan no niku tai teki na sa gyō ni wa teki do na kyū kei ga hitsu yō de su

Long periods of physical work require regular breaks.

Core concept

Marks a connection with bodily life or action, not merely with ideas or mental processes.

Common phrases

  • 肉体的な労働niku tai teki na rō dō

    physical labor

  • 肉体的な負担niku tai teki na fu tan

    physical strain

Similar words

身体的shintaiteki: Relating to the human body, its condition, or its functions.

Definition in Japanese

心や頭の働きではなく、身体に関わるさま。kokoro ya atama no hatara ki de wa na ku shin tai ni kaka wa ru sa ma

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese word 肉体的 (nikutaiteki, "physical") is built from 肉体 (nikutai, "body") and the adjective-forming suffix 的 (teki, "relating to").

Usage tips

  • English physical can have broad material or abstract uses, whereas 肉体的 (nikutaiteki) points specifically to the human body and its physical activity.

Opposites

Word lists with this word