マッチョ

マ

ッ

チョ

Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

macho; hypermasculine

Describes a person, attitude, or behavior that is aggressively masculine or macho. Often used critically or humorously.

muscular man; muscle-bound guy

Refers specifically to a man with a heavily muscled physique, often in a bodybuilding or fitness context. Can be used admiringly or jokingly.

マッチョになるto become muscular/macho
毎まい日にち筋きんトレをしてマッチョになった。
He worked out every day and became muscular.
マッチョな〈人ひと〉a macho/muscular person
彼かれはマッチョな男おとこが好すきらしい。
She seems to like muscular guys.
マッチョぶるto act tough/macho
彼かれはいつもマッチョぶって話はなす。
He always talks in a macho, tough-guy way.

筋きん肉にく質しつ sense 2
筋肉質 is a neutral, descriptive term for a muscular build, while マッチョ implies an exaggerated, bodybuilder-like or hyper-masculine physique.
筋きん骨こつ隆りゅう々りゅう sense 2
筋骨隆々 is a more literary, admiring way to describe a powerfully muscular body, whereas マッチョ is casual slang that can also be used jokingly or critically.

がりがり sense 2
ガリガリ describes a thin, skinny build, the opposite physical type from a muscular マッチョ.
貧ひん弱じゃくN1sense 2
貧弱 describes a weak, frail body or build, contrasting with the strong, muscular image of マッチョ.

マッチN5
マッチ means a match (for lighting fire) or a sports match, while マッチョ describes a muscular or macho person; only the first syllables sound alike.

Borrowed from Spanish 'macho' via English 'macho'. The Japanese form マッチョ reflects the English pronunciation with a geminated consonant.