Translation guide
The English phrase 'warming up' can refer to preparing the body for exercise, preparing for an activity or performance, or the process of something becoming warmer. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
physical warm-up
becoming warm
To prepare the body for physical activity through light exercise or stretching.
To prepare one's voice, fingers, or mind for a performance or task.
To describe something increasing in temperature.
To let an engine or device reach operating temperature.
暖まる (atatamaru) is used for air temperature, rooms, or the body feeling warm. 温まる (atatamaru) is used for objects, liquids, or food becoming warm. In many cases they are interchangeable, but the kanji choice adds nuance.
The room warms up
Literally 'preparatory exercise'. A native Japanese term often used in school or formal settings.
In PE class, we do warm-up exercises first.
Don't forget to warm up before running.
The same loanword is used for non-physical warm-ups, such as vocal or instrumental practice.
Singers warm up their voices before going on stage.
Can be used metaphorically for any preparatory activity, though it leans physical.
Let's do some simple practice as a warm-up before the real thing.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to become warm'. Used for objects, rooms, or the body.
The room is gradually warming up.
Same reading, but this kanji is often used for liquids or food becoming warm.
Turn off the heat once the soup has warmed up.
Transitive verb meaning 'to warm something up'. Use when someone actively heats something.
I warmed up my hands by rubbing them together.
On cold mornings, warming up the engine is necessary.
Also used for engines or electronics in casual contexts.
It takes five minutes for the car to warm up.
The miso soup warms up
暖める (atatameru) and 温める (atatameru) mean 'to heat something up', not to do warm-up exercises. Use ウォーミングアップ or 準備運動 for exercise warm-ups.