Translation guide
The English word 'physical' covers several distinct meanings. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression based on whether they mean 'relating to the body', 'relating to material things', 'involving physical contact or force', or 'relating to physics'.
Describing something connected with the human body, as opposed to the mind or spirit.
The most direct and common translation for 'physical' when referring to the body. Used in contexts like physical health, physical condition, physical strength.
身体的健康は大切です。
Physical health is important.
彼は身体的に疲れている。
He is physically tired.
Literally 'of the flesh/body'. Often used in more formal or literary contexts, or when emphasizing the physical body as opposed to the soul or mind.
肉体の苦痛
physical pain
A loanword from English, used in specific contexts like 'physical training' or 'physical fitness', often in sports or gym settings.
フィジカルトレーニング
physical training
Describing something tangible, concrete, or existing in the real world, as opposed to abstract or digital.
Used for 'physical' in the sense of material, tangible, or relating to the laws of physics. Common in phrases like 'physical object', 'physical evidence', 'physical world'.
物理的な証拠が必要だ。
We need physical evidence.
本の物理的なコピー
a physical copy of the book
Emphasizes the material substance. Often used in economic or philosophical contexts, like 'material wealth' or 'material world'.
Means 'tangible' or 'corporeal'. Used in legal or technical contexts to distinguish physical assets from intangible ones.
有形資産
tangible assets (physical assets)
Describing actions or situations that involve bodily contact, force, or violence.
Used for physical contact, physical altercations, or physical force. The attributive form 身体的な is common before nouns.
身体的な接触を避ける
avoid physical contact
身体的な暴力
physical violence
Similar to 身体的な but can carry a nuance of bodily harm or physical suffering.
肉体的な攻撃
physical attack
Pertaining to the science of physics.
身体的 (shintaiteki) is used for bodily/physical health, contact, or condition. 物理的 (butsuriteki) is used for material/tangible things or physics-related concepts. Do not confuse them.
The loanword フィジカル is only used in specific sports/fitness contexts. Using it for general 'physical' meanings sounds unnatural.
物質的な豊かさ
material wealth (physical abundance)