culturista
/kultuˈɾista/feminine, masculine
The Spanish word for bodybuilder is culturista. Wiktionary also lists fisicoculturista.
Meaning: a person who uses diet and exercise to build an aesthetically muscular physique (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| culturista | /kultuˈɾista/ | feminine, masculine |
| fisicoculturista | /fisikokultuɾista/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
A bodybuilder is a person who uses diet and exercise to build an aesthetically muscular physique.
Which one should you use?
While culturista refers to the person (the bodybuilder), culturismo refers to the sport or activity itself (bodybuilding).
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify a female bodybuilder, use the feminine article: la culturista.
How do you pronounce it?
/kultuˈɾista/
Did you know?
- In certain Caribbean Spanish dialects, a person who is extremely muscular might be called a tronco, literally meaning 'log', due to their thick appearance.
- In some Spanish-speaking gym cultures, rather than using the formal word, people may simply refer to someone as a fiera, meaning 'wild beast', to compliment their physique.
- The word culturista shares the same root as the English word 'culture', implying that bodybuilding is viewed as a refined discipline or a pursuit of physical 'culture'.
Examples in context
- Es un culturista.He's a bodybuilder.Tatoeba #1946090 by teskmon, translation #1944129 by Spamster
- ¿Quién nos iba a decir que el niño rollizo del otro lado de la calle se convertiría en un culturista de fama mundial?Who would've thought that the chubby kid across the street would become a world-famous bodybuilder?This sentence describes someone becoming a world-famous culturista.Tatoeba #9703971 by Shishir, translation #9725642 by DJ_Saidez
- Cada culturista necesita apreciar y respetar el arte del culturismo y al usar los esteroides, lo estás faltando al respecto.Every bodybuilder must appreciate and respect the art of bodybuilding and when using steroids, you're disrespecting it.This sentence discusses the respect a culturista should have for the art of bodybuilding.Tatoeba #9136096 by rafaeldejesus8199, translation #9136101 by rafaeldejesus8199
- Estoy entrenando para convertirme en un culturista reconocido.I am training to become a recognized bodybuilder.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are talking about a person at the gym.
- Elena¿Conoces a ese hombre musculoso?Do you know that muscular man?
- MateoSí, es un culturista muy famoso.Yes, he is a very famous bodybuilder.
- ElenaÉl tiene un físico increíble.He has an incredible physique.
- MateoEs verdad, su entrenamiento es duro.It's true, his training is hard.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bodybuilder” translations and entries culturista, fisicoculturista, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries culturista, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
