運動
undō[ɯ̟̃ndo̞ː]
In Japanese, the English word 'exercise' can be expressed in several ways depending on the context, with the default form being 運動 (undō). Wiktionary also lists 体操 (taisō) and 体育 (taiiku).
Meaning: physical activity intended to improve strength and fitness (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 運動 | undō | [ɯ̟̃ndo̞ː] (narrow) |
| 体操 | taisō | [ta̠iso̞ː] (narrow) |
| 体育 | taiiku | [ta̠iikɯ̟] (narrow) [ta̠ikɯ̟] (narrow) |
| エクササイズ | ekusasaizu | [e̞kɯ̟̊sa̠sa̠izɨ] (narrow) |
The term refers to physical activity intended to improve strength and fitness. While 運動 is the general term for movement or exercise, modern contexts like fitness classes, aerobics or gym settings often use the katakana loanword エクササイズ.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 運動 (undō) is composed of the kanji 運 (move/transport) and 動 (move/motion).
Which one should you use?
運動 is the general term for physical exercise or movement. In contrast, 体操 specifically refers to rhythmic gymnastics or calisthenics-style exercises. Furthermore, 体育 refers specifically to physical education as an academic subject within a school curriculum.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the noun 運動 into the verb 'to exercise', you must add the verb する (suru) to form 運動する.
How do you pronounce it?
undō
Did you know?
- The word 運動 is not only used for physical fitness but also describes a social or political 'movement', such as a civil rights movement.
- The term ラジオ体操 refers to a national set of calisthenics broadcast on the radio that millions of people perform in unison, often in schoolyards or workplaces.
- The kanji 運 in 運動 also means 'luck' or 'fortune' in other contexts, though it means 'transport' or 'carry' when referring to exercise.
Examples in context
- 運動は体にいい。Exercise is good for you.This sentence shows how to state that exercise is beneficial for the body using 運動.Tatoeba #7003418 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #7003296 by CK
- 水泳はよい運動だ。Swimming is good exercise.This sentence uses 運動 to describe swimming as a good form of exercise.Tatoeba #143687 by bunbuku, translation #270878 by CK
- 散歩は良い運動だ。Walking is good exercise.This sentence uses 運動 to describe walking as a good form of exercise.Tatoeba #169325 by KK_kaku_, translation #245158 by Hellerick
- Kenkō ni wa undō ga hitsuyō desu (健康には運動が必要です)Exercise is necessary for health.
- Shūmatsu ni undō suru (週末に運動する)I exercise on weekends.
- Mainichi undō o yatte imasu (毎日運動をやっています)I do exercise every day.
- 64 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are talking about their health habits.
- 美咲 Misaki最近、何か運動をしていますか？Saikin, nanika undou o shite imasu ka?Have you been doing any exercise lately?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、毎日ジョギングをしています。Hai, mainichi jogingu o shite imasu.Yes, I go jogging every day.
- 美咲 Misaki素晴らしいですね！Subarashii desu ne!That's wonderful!
- 陽太 Yota美咲さんも一緒にどうですか？Misaki-san mo issho ni dou desu ka?Would you like to join me, Misaki?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “exercise” translations and entries 運動, 体操, 体育, エクササイズ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
