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.
Physical health is important.
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.
physical pain
A loanword from English, used in specific contexts like 'physical training' or 'physical fitness', often in sports or gym settings.
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'.
We need physical evidence.
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.
tangible assets (physical assets)
Describing actions or situations that involve bodily contact, force, or violence.
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.
a physical copy of the book
material wealth (physical abundance)