运动
yùndòng
In Chinese, 'exercise' is translated as 运动 (yùndòng).
运动 is used to refer to physical activity intended to improve strength and fitness. It can serve as a broad term for any physical activity or even a specific sport.
Meaning: physical activity intended to improve strength and fitness (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 运动 is composed of 运 (yùn), meaning 'to move/transport' and 动 (dòng), meaning 'to move/act'.
Which one should you use?
While 运动 is a broad term for any physical activity or sport, 锻炼 (duànliàn) specifically emphasizes the 'training' or 'tempering' aspect of exercise to improve fitness. Additionally, 健身 (jiànshēn) is more specific to 'bodybuilding' or 'fitness training' (often at a gym).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 运动 can function as both a noun and a verb depending on the context.
How do you pronounce it?
yùndòng
Did you know?
- The character 运 (yùn) in 运动 is also the root of the word for 'luck' or 'fate' (运气), implying a cosmic movement of energy.
- Beyond physical activity, 运动 is the standard word for a social or political 'movement', such as the May Fourth Movement.
- The component 炼 in 锻炼 (duànliàn) refers to the process of refining metal, implying that exercise 'tempers' the body like a blacksmith works steel.
Examples in context
- 运动有益健康。Exercise is good for your health.This sentence shows the benefits of 运动 for health.Tatoeba #3289570 by sadhen, translation #26555 by CK
- 缺少运动有害健康。A lack of exercise is bad for your health.This sentence illustrates how a lack of 运动 can be harmful.Tatoeba #1785967 by sadhen, translation #2595674 by WestofEden
- 这项运动对下背部有益。This exercise is good for the lower back.This sentence demonstrates how 运动 can refer to a specific physical activity beneficial for a body part.Tatoeba #8500233 by black333, translation #6558852 by Hybrid
- 我每天都锻炼身体。I exercise every day.
- 体育课上我们经常做各种运动。We often do various exercises in physical education class.
- 我喜欢做一些户外运动。I enjoy doing outdoor exercises.
- 我每天要运动半小时。I exercise for half an hour every day.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their daily routines.
- 俊杰 Junjie你每天做运动吗？Nǐ měitiān zuò yùndòng ma?Do you exercise every day?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我不经常运动，太累了。Wǒ bù jīngcháng yùndòng, tài lèi le.I don't exercise often, I'm too tired.
- 俊杰 Junjie我们可以一起去跑步。Wǒmen kěyǐ yīqǐ qù pǎobù.We can go jogging together.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen好啊，明天见，俊杰。Hǎo a, míngtiān jiàn, Jùnjié.Sure, see you tomorrow, Junjie.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
