Chinese word

体操

Pronunciation

Pinyintǐ cāo

Meaning

  • nounexercise

Example

每天早上我和孩子一起做体操。měi tiān zǎo shàng wǒ hé hái zi yì qǐ zuò tǐ cāo

Every morning, my child and I exercise together.

Illustration for 体操 (exercise)

More examples

学生们在体育馆里上体操课。xué shēng men zài tǐ yù guǎn lǐ shàng tǐ cāo kè

The students are taking a gymnastics class in the gym.

Core concept

A planned series of body movements used to wake, train, or display physical skill.

Common phrases

  • 做体操zuò tǐ cāo

    do exercises

  • 体操课tǐ cāo kè

    gymnastics class

  • 参加体操训练cān jiā tǐ cāo xùn liàn

    participate in gymnastics training

Similar words

运动yùn dòng: Physical activity done to improve health or fitness.
锻炼duàn liàn: Repeated physical training that builds strength, fitness, or skill.

Definition in Chinese

为唤醒或锻炼身体而按固定动作或顺序进行的身体练习，常见于学校、单位或集体活动，也可泛指作为体育项目的体操。wèi huàn xǐng huò duàn liàn shēn tǐ ér àn gù dìng dòng zuò huò shùn xù jìn xíng de shēn tǐ liàn xí cháng jiàn yú xué xiào dān wèi huò jí tǐ huó dòng yě kě fàn zhǐ zuò wéi tǐ yù xiàng mù dì tǐ cāo

Word origin

体操 (tǐcāo, "exercise") combines 体 (tǐ, "body") with 操 (cāo, "to train"), giving the word its direct sense of training the body.

Usage tips

  • English exercise covers activities such as running and lifting, but 体操 (tǐcāo, "gymnastics") often evokes a set routine, especially in a school or group setting.

Other meanings

  • gymnasticsnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 艺术体操yì shù tǐ cāoartistic gymnasticsnoun
  • 体操服tǐ cāo fúgym clothesnoun

Word lists with this word