Translation guide
In Japanese, describing someone's physique involves choosing words that reflect body build, fitness, and sometimes connotations of health or attractiveness. The most common and neutral term is 体格 (taikaku), but other words like 体つき (karadatsuki) and 体型 (taikei) are used depending on whether you're focusing on overall build, body shape, or figure.
Describing someone's overall physical build, size, or frame in a neutral or observational way.
The most common and neutral word for 'physique' or 'body build'. Used for both men and women, often in contexts like sports, health, or general description.
He has a sturdy physique.
Athletes with good physiques gathered.
Refers to the way the body is built or shaped, often with a slightly more visual or physical impression. Can be used for both men and women, but may carry a nuance of attractiveness or physical presence.
Her slender physique is striking.
Simply 'body', but often used in phrases like 体が大きい (big-bodied) or 体が小さい (small-bodied) to describe physique in everyday conversation.
He has a large physique and is strong.
Describing the shape or contour of the body, often with attention to proportions, slimness, or attractiveness.
Refers to body shape or figure, often used when talking about clothing fit, weight changes, or body types. More about silhouette and proportions than muscular build.
This dress suits any physique.
Loanword from English 'style', used especially for women to mean a good figure or physique. Often implies attractiveness and proportion.
From 'proportion', used to describe a well-balanced physique, often in fashion or modeling contexts. Slightly technical or stylish nuance.
Specifically highlighting a well-developed, muscular, or trained physique, often in sports or fitness contexts.
Describes a very muscular, brawny physique. Often used for bodybuilders or athletes. Has a strong, impressive nuance.
He has a muscular physique.
Colloquial way to say a macho or heavily muscled body. 'マッチョ' comes from 'macho'. Often used casually.
He worked out at the gym and got a macho physique.
Literally 'muscular physique', a straightforward and neutral way to describe a well-muscled build.
Referring to physique in medical, health, or physical condition contexts.
Also used in health checkups or medical descriptions. 体格指数 (たいかくしすう) means Body Mass Index (BMI).
They measured my physique at the health checkup.
A formal or literary term for physique or body frame, often used in written descriptions or medical contexts. Less common in daily speech.
体格 (taikaku) is the most general and neutral for 'physique', focusing on build and frame. 体型 (taikei) emphasizes shape and figure, often used for clothing or body type. 体つき (karadatsuki) is more about the physical impression or appearance of the body, sometimes with a nuance of attractiveness. Use 体格 for sports/health, 体型 for fashion/silhouette, and 体つき for overall physical look.
The loanword フィジーク (fijīku) exists but is mainly used in bodybuilding contexts (like 'men's physique' competition). In normal conversation, it sounds unnatural. Stick to native Japanese terms unless specifically talking about bodybuilding categories.
He has an impressive physique.
She maintains her physique through yoga.
She has a slim physique.
彼女はスタイルがいいね。
She has a great physique, doesn't she?
I admire a model-like physique.
He has a muscular physique and is good at all sports.
His imposing physique attracts attention.