Translation guide
The English word 'bodily' is used as both an adjective and an adverb. As an adjective, it means 'relating to the body' (physical, corporeal). As an adverb, it means 'by moving the whole body' or 'physically'. This guide helps learners express these meanings naturally in Japanese.
Describing something as physical, corporeal, or related to the human body (e.g., bodily functions, bodily harm).
肉体 (nikutai) refers to the physical body, often with a nuance of flesh or corporeality. Used in contexts like 'bodily desires' or 'bodily strength'.
A more formal or technical adjective meaning 'physical' or 'bodily'. Often used in medical or academic contexts.
体 (karada) is a more casual word for 'body'. 体の is common in everyday speech.
Describing an action done with the entire body, often forcefully or physically (e.g., lift someone bodily, throw oneself bodily into something).
Means 'with the whole body' or 'bodily'. Used when the entire body is involved in an action.
彼を体ごと持ち上げた。
I lifted him bodily.
彼女は仕事に体ごと飛び込んだ。
She threw herself bodily into her work.
Literally 'with the whole body'. Emphasizes using the entire body for an action.
全身でぶつかった。
I collided bodily.
全身で喜びを表した。
He expressed his joy bodily.
Means 'entirely' or 'as a whole'. Can be used for moving something bodily, but more commonly for objects.
Emphasizing the physical aspect of an experience or state (e.g., bodily present, bodily tired).
The adverbial form of 身体的. Used to say 'physically' or 'bodily' in a formal or neutral sense.
彼は身体的に疲れていた。
He was bodily tired.
彼女は身体的にそこにいたが、心は別の場所にあった。
She was bodily present, but her mind was elsewhere.
Similar to 身体的に, but with a nuance of 'fleshly' or 'corporeal'. Often used for physical labor or desires.
肉体的にきつい仕事
bodily demanding work
Refers to physical strength or stamina. Used when 'bodily' means 'in terms of physical energy'.
体力的にもう限界だ。
I'm at my bodily limit.
English often uses 'bodily' as an adverb meaning 'physically' or 'with the whole body'. Japanese does not have a single adverb that covers all these uses. Instead, use phrases like 体ごと (karada-goto) for 'with the whole body' or 身体的に (shintaiteki ni) for 'physically'. Direct translations like 身体的 (shintaiteki) without に are adjectives, not adverbs.
彼を体ごと運んだ。
I carried him bodily.
身体 (shintai) is the standard word for 'body' in medical and formal contexts. 体 (karada) is more casual and common in everyday speech. 肉体 (nikutai) emphasizes the physical, fleshly aspect, often used in contexts of strength, desire, or mortality. Choose based on the nuance you want to convey.
彼は机を丸ごと持ち上げた。
He lifted the desk bodily.