Translation guide
The English word 'healthy' can refer to a person's physical condition, a lifestyle or habit, a food or diet, or even a figurative sense of something being robust. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each of these uses.
Describing a person or animal that is not sick and is in good physical condition.
The most common and versatile word for 'healthy' in the sense of being energetic and well. Often used in greetings and everyday conversation.
I'm healthy, thank you.
He is a very healthy child.
Refers to health in a more formal or medical sense. Often used in written contexts or when discussing health conditions.
Please take care of your health.
He is the picture of health.
Literally 'physical condition is good'. Used to describe how one feels physically at a particular moment.
I feel healthy today.
Describing a habit, activity, or lifestyle that promotes good health.
The standard adjective for 'healthy' when describing something that is good for your health, like a diet or lifestyle.
I want to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Literally 'good for the body'. A very common, casual way to say something is healthy.
Vegetables are healthy.
A slightly more formal version of '体にいい', often used in writing or product descriptions.
This tea is healthy.
Describing food or a diet that is nutritious and good for one's health.
A loanword from English, very common in everyday speech, especially among younger people and in food contexts.
I made a healthy dish.
The standard phrase for a 'healthy diet' or 'healthy meal'.
I try to eat healthy meals.
Means 'nutritious'. Often used to emphasize the nutritional value of food.
This soup is healthy (nutritious).
Describing something non-living that is strong, successful, or functioning well.
Means 'sound' or 'healthy' in a figurative sense, often used for organizations, finances, or mental states.
The company's management is healthy.
Means 'favorable' or 'doing well', often used for business performance or economic conditions.
While 健康 means health, saying 健康な食べ物 is not natural. Use 健康的な食べ物 or 体にいい食べ物 instead.
元気 implies energy and vitality, often used in daily greetings (お元気ですか). 健康 is more about the absence of illness and is used in formal or medical contexts.
Walking every day is healthy.
A healthy mind.
経済は好調だ。
The economy is healthy.