Translation guide
Describes a person, style, or car that is athletic, casual, or performance-oriented. Japanese uses different words depending on whether you mean a person's look, a car's feel, or an active lifestyle.
彼女は今日スポーティーな格好をしている。
She looks sporty today.
この車はスポーティーな走りだ。
This car feels sporty.
To say someone looks sporty or dresses in a casual, athletic way.
A loanword from English, commonly used for fashion or appearance. It describes a casual, athletic style.
彼女はいつもスポーティーな服装をしている。
She always wears sporty clothes.
Means 'casual' and often overlaps with 'sporty' in fashion contexts. It implies a relaxed, non-formal style.
そのブランドはカジュアルでスポーティーなデザインが特徴だ。
That brand is known for casual, sporty designs.
Means 'active' and can describe a sporty, energetic look or lifestyle.
アクティブな印象のスタイルが好きです。
I like styles that give an active, sporty impression.
To say a car feels sporty, responsive, or fun to drive.
The same loanword is standard for cars. It implies agile handling and a performance feel.
この車はスポーティーな走りが魅力だ。
This car's sporty driving feel is its appeal.
Literally 'runs well', used to describe a car that handles nicely, often with a sporty nuance.
この車は本当に走りがいい。
This car really handles well (feels sporty).
Refers to a sports-type car or a sporty trim level. More specific than general sportiness.
スポーツタイプのセダンを探しています。
I'm looking for a sporty sedan.
To say someone is sporty in the sense of being athletic or enjoying sports.
Means 'likes sports'. The most natural way to say someone is sporty in terms of personality.
彼はとてもスポーツ好きで、週末はいつも何かしている。
He's very sporty; he's always doing something on weekends.
Literally 'has good motor nerves', meaning naturally athletic or coordinated. Often used for sporty people.
彼女は運動神経がいいから、どんなスポーツでもすぐに上手になる。
She's sporty, so she picks up any sport quickly.
Means 'athlete type', used for someone with a sporty build or serious athletic inclination.
彼はアスリートタイプで、毎日トレーニングを欠かさない。
He's the sporty type; he never misses a day of training.
While スポーティー is fine for appearance or cars, it sounds odd when describing someone's personality. Use スポーツ好き or 運動神経がいい instead.
彼はスポーティーだ。
He is sporty. (unnatural for personality)