太っている
The phrase "you're fat" in Japanese is 太っている.
Using 太っている directly to a person is extremely blunt and is often perceived as a harsh insult rather than a neutral observation.
Which one should you use?
While 太っている is the standard way to describe the state of being fat, you can use ふっくらしている to be more euphemistic. This implies a soft, pleasant plumpness to avoid being offensive. For a playful and affectionate manner, you might use ぽっちゃりしてるよ to say someone is chubby or plump.
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form of the adjective is 太い, but when describing a continuous state of being fat, the progressive form 太っている is used.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the simple adjective 太い to describe a person's weight. Instead, use 太っている as it is the grammatically correct way to describe the state of being fat.
Did you know?
- The adjective 太い is used to describe a person's voice as 'deep' or 'resonant', which has nothing to do with their physical size.
- The word ふっくら is often used to describe the ideal shape of a well-risen steamed bun or a fluffy pillow, not just people.
- In some traditional Japanese contexts, appearing slightly 'plump' was historically viewed as a sign of health and wealth, which is reflected in the polite use of ふっくら.
Examples in context
- すみませんが、肥満です。I'm sorry, but you are overweight.
- 体型が少し大きいですね。Your physique is a little large, isn't it?
- 太っているね。You're fat.
- ぽっちゃりしてるよ。You're chubby.
- 彼は少し太っている。Kare wa sukoshi futotte iru.He is a little fat.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about health and weight.
- 美咲 Misaki大翔、最近太っているよ。Hiroto, saikin futotte iru yo.Hiroto, you're fat lately.
- 大翔 Hirotoえっ、本当に？E, hontō ni?What, really?
- 美咲 Misakiうん、一緒に運動しよう。Un, issho ni undō shiyō.Yeah, let's exercise together.
- 大翔 Hirotoわかった。明日から頑張るよ。Wakatta. Ashita kara ganbaru yo.I got it. I'll try hard starting tomorrow.
