健康な
kenkō na
The English word 'healthy' can be translated into Japanese as 健康な (kenkō na). Wiktionary also lists 達者な (tassha na).
Meaning: enjoying good health (adj)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 健康な | kenkō na |
| 達者な | tassha na |
The term 健康な is used to describe someone or something that is enjoying good health. If you are describing a 'healthy diet' or a 'healthy lifestyle', it is more common to use the adjective 健康的な instead.
Which one should you use?
While 健康な refers to general medical health, 達者な is a colloquial way to describe an elderly person who remains physically vigorous, robust or capable.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use 'healthy' as an adverb, such as in the phrase 'to live healthily', change the adjective to the adverbial form 健康に.
How do you pronounce it?
kenkō na
Did you know?
- Japanese has a specific concept called 健康オタク, which translates to 'health otaku' or 'health geek', describing people obsessively devoted to wellness trends.
- In certain contexts, the word 健勝 (kenshō) is used in very formal written letters to wish someone 'continued good health', making the concept of health a standard part of formal etiquette.
- The word 健康 (kenkō) is composed of two kanji: 'health' and 'sound/solid', suggesting that to be healthy is to be structurally or fundamentally sound.
Examples in context
- 彼女は健康な赤ん坊を出産しました。She gave birth to a healthy baby.This sentence shows how to use 健康な to describe a baby.Tatoeba #90264 by small_snow, translation #313450 by CK
- 彼らの中には健康な人もいれば、そうでない人もいる。Some of them are healthy, but others are not.This sentence uses 健康な to compare healthy people to those who are not.Tatoeba #98439 by mookeee, translation #305263 by CM
- 「健康な食事と運動は大切です。」A healthy diet and exercise are important.
- 「スポーツをすることで、健やかな身体を維持しています。」I maintain a healthy body by engaging in sports.
- 「元気にしてる？最近体調どう？」Are you doing well? How have you been feeling lately?
- 「最近、体調がいい？何か具合悪いことはない？」Have you been feeling well lately? Is there anything bothering you?
- 「毎日の適度な運動は健康に良いですよ。」Moderate exercise every day is good for your health.
- 健康な生活を送るために、毎日歩いています。kenkou na seikatsu o okuru tame ni, mainichi aruite imasu.I walk every day to lead a healthy life.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki are talking about their daily routines.
- 蓮 Ren美咲はいつも健康な食事をしているね。Misaki wa itsumo kenkou na shokuji o shite iru ne.Misaki, you always eat healthy meals, don't you?
- 美咲 Misakiうん、野菜をたくさん食べるようにしているよ。Un, yasai o takusan taberu you ni shite iru yo.Yeah, I try to eat plenty of vegetables.
- 蓮 Ren僕ももっと健康な体になりたいな。Boku mo motto kenkou na karada ni naritai na.I want to have a healthier body too.
- 美咲 Misaki一緒にウォーキングを始めようよ。Issho ni wookingu o hajimeyou yo.Let's start walking together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “healthy” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
