Translation guide
The English phrase "work out" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: exercising, solving or calculating, being successful, and developing or planning. Each meaning has different natural Japanese equivalents.
To engage in physical exercise, especially at a gym or as a routine.
General term for exercising or doing physical activity. Safe for most contexts.
I work out every day.
Often used for strength training or gym workouts. Slightly more specific than 運動する.
I'm working out at the gym.
Short for 筋力トレーニング (strength training). Casual, used mainly for weightlifting or bodyweight exercises.
I've been working out lately.
To find an answer or solution, especially for a math problem or puzzle.
Used for solving problems, equations, puzzles. Transitive verb.
Can you work out this problem?
Specifically for calculating numbers or amounts.
Please work out the total.
Literally 'to produce an answer'. Natural for finding a solution after effort.
I finally worked out the answer.
To have a good result; to happen in a satisfactory way.
To devise, formulate, or figure out a plan, idea, or system.
To come up with an idea or plan after thinking.
We worked out a new plan.
To refine or polish a plan or idea. Often used in business contexts.
To work out the details. More formal, used in meetings or negotiations.
Let's work out the details of the contract.
The English phrasal verb 'work out' has no single Japanese equivalent. Always choose the translation based on the intended meaning: exercise, solve, succeed, or plan.
'Work out' as a loanword (ワークアウト) is only used for exercise, not for solving problems or other meanings.
We're working out the project plan.