健身
jiànshēn
In Chinese, "workout" is translated as 健身 (jiànshēn).
健身 is a noun meaning "fitness" or "bodybuilding," but in daily conversation, it is most commonly used as a verb meaning "to work out" or "to do fitness training."
Meaning: an exercise session, a period of physical exercise (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 健身 refers to fitness or bodybuilding, 锻炼 (duànliàn) is a common alternative used to mean "to exercise" or "to train," focusing more generally on physical training or tempering the body.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, the term 鍛鍊 (dyun6 lin6) can be used to refer to a "workout."
How do you pronounce it?
jiànshēn
Did you know?
- In modern Chinese slang, people often use 撸铁 (lū tiě), which literally means 'stroking iron', to specifically describe a heavy weightlifting workout.
- The alternative word 锻炼 (duànliàn) has a historical connotation of 'tempering' metal or 'training' through hardship, much like a blacksmith shapes a blade.
- In China, you will often see older adults performing 'workout' routines that look like slow-motion dancing, such as Tai Chi, which are categorized under the general concept of 锻炼 (duànliàn).
Examples in context
- 我每天去健身房锻炼。I go to the gym to workout every day.
- 健身对身体非常有益处。Working out is very beneficial to the body.
- 我打算明天去健身房锻炼。I plan to go to the gym to workout tomorrow.
- 周末我们常常去运动，保持身体健康。We often go for exercises during the weekends to keep our bodies healthy.
- 我每天早上去健身。Wǒ měitiān zǎoshang qù jiànshēn.I go to work out every morning.
- 这次健身很有挑战性。Zhè cì jiànshēn hěn yǒu tiǎozhàn xìng.This workout is very challenging.
- 你今天的健身计划是什么？Nǐ jīntiān de jiànshēn jìhuà shì shénme?What is your workout plan for today?
Example conversation
Two friends are meeting at the gym.
- 雨婷 Yuting浩然，你健身完了吗？Hàorán, nǐ jiànshēn wán le ma?Haoran, is your workout finished?
- 浩然 Haoran还没，我还有一个健身项目。Hái méi, wǒ hái yǒu yī gè jiànshēn xiàngmù.Not yet, I have one more workout set.
- 雨婷 Yuting今天的健身强度很大吧？Jīntiān de jiànshēn qiángdù hěn dà ba?Today's workout is quite intense, right?
- 浩然 Haoran是的，我现在很累。Shì de, wǒ xiànzài hěn lèi.Yes, I am very tired now.
