筋トレ
kintore
In Japanese, lifting weights is expressed as 筋トレ (kintore).
The most common, everyday term for lifting weights or doing resistance training is 筋トレ. You can also use the phrase 頑張って筋トレをする to mean 'to work out hard'.
Which one should you use?
筋トレ is used in daily conversation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In informal settings, you can use the abbreviation 筋トレをする to mean 'working out' or 'muscle training'. You might also use the informal phrase バーベルを持ち上げる to describe the literal action of lifting a barbell. In formal or professional environments, 筋力トレーニングをする is the appropriate expression.
How do you pronounce it?
kintore
Did you know?
- In Japanese fitness culture, people often use the phrase 追い込む meaning 'to push into a corner' to describe the intensity of a 筋トレ session. It suggests training until the muscles have absolutely nothing left.
- The character 筋 in 筋トレ is also used in the word 筋書き to mean a 'plot' or 'scenario' in a story.
- The common term 筋トレ is actually a portmanteau, combining 筋 (muscle) with the English loanword 'training'.
Examples in context
- 最近、筋トレを始めたんだ。I started working out recently.
- 本格的にバーベルを持ち上げるの？それとも軽いものから始めるの？Are you lifting weights seriously or starting with lighter ones?
- 筋力トレーニングをすると体の形が変わるの？Does muscle training change your body shape?
- 確かに重りを上げると効果があるよ。でも食事にも注意しないと。Lifting weights does have some effects, but you also need to pay attention to your diet.
- 最近、筋トレをしています。Saikin, kintore o shiteimasu.I have been lifting weights lately.
- 毎朝、筋トレをするのが習慣です。Maiasa, kintore o suru no ga shuukan desu.Doing weight training every morning is my habit.
- もっと筋肉をつけたいから、筋トレを頑張る。Motto kinniku o tsuketai kara, kintore o ganbaru.I will work hard at lifting weights because I want to build more muscle.
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are talking about their fitness routines at a cafe.
- 健太 Kenta陽葵さんは、何か運動しているの？Himari-san wa, nani ka undou shite iru no?Himari, are you doing any kind of exercise?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、家で筋トレをしています。Hai, ie de kintore o shite imasu.Yes, I am lifting weights at home.
- 健太 Kentaすごいね。僕も筋トレを始めようかな。Sugoi ne. Boku mo kintore o hajimeyou kana.That's amazing. Maybe I should start lifting weights too.
- 陽葵 Himari健太さんも、一緒に頑張りましょう！Kenta-san mo, issho ni ganbarimashou!Let's both work hard at it, Kenta!
