Translation and Meaning of: 体 - karada

If you are learning Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 体 [からだ]. It is essential in everyday vocabulary and appears in various contexts, from informal conversations to deeper expressions. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, kanji writing, and how it is used in Japanese culture. Additionally, you will discover practical tips to memorize it and understand why it is so frequent in the language.

The meaning and writing of 体 [からだ]

The word 体 [からだ] means "body" in Japanese, referring to both the physical aspect and the overall health of a person. It is composed of the kanji 体, which conveys the idea of structure or physical form. This character is formed by the radicals 亻 (person) and 本 (origin), suggesting a connection to the essence of being human.

Unlike other words that can have abstract meanings, 体 [からだ] is quite concrete and direct. Its use is common in phrases like "体に気をつけて" (take care of your body) or "体がだるい" (I feel tired). Being a everyday word, it frequently appears in dialogues, animes, and even in expressions related to well-being.

Origin and cultural usage of 体 [からだ]

The origin of the kanji 体 traces back to ancient Chinese, where it was used to represent the physical structure of the human body. Over time, the term was incorporated into Japanese with the same meaning, maintaining its relation to health and physical form. In Japanese culture, taking care of the body is seen as fundamental, and this is reflected in the frequent use of this word.

In broader contexts, 体 [からだ] can also appear in expressions that go beyond the physical. For example, the word 体力 [たいりょく] (physical strength) derives from it, showing how the concept of "body" is connected to endurance and vitality. This type of usage reinforces the importance of the word in the daily lives of Japanese people.

Tips for memorizing and using 体 [からだ]

An effective way to memorize 体 [からだ] is to associate it with practical situations, such as talking about health or describing physical sensations. Phrases like "体が痛い" (my body is sore) or "体を動かす" (move the body) help to reinforce the term in your vocabulary. Another tip is to observe its kanji, which visually resembles a person (亻) and its base (本).

Furthermore, this word is so common that it appears in many animes and dramas, especially in scenes that involve sports, illness, or fatigue. Paying attention to these contexts can make learning easier. If you use flashcards, including short examples with 体 [からだ] can be a great way to practice.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

  • 身体 (karada) - Body refers to the physical form of the human being.
  • 体格 (taikaku) - Physical constitution, referring to the body's structure and size.
  • 肉体 (nikutai) - Physical body, emphasizing the matter or substance of the body.
  • 体裁 (taizai) - Presentation or appearance of the body, often used in aesthetic contexts.
  • 体系 (taikei) - Body system, referring to the organization of the body or internal structure.
  • 体力 (taira) - Physical capacity or body strength, often associated with endurance and energy.
  • 体温 (taion) - Body temperature, an important element for physical health.
  • 体感 (taikan) - Body perception, sensations, or experiences related to physical state.
  • 体積 (taiseki) - Volume of the body, referring to the space occupied by the physical body.

Related words

立体

rittai

solid body

物体ない

mottainai

Very good; more than one deserves; waste; sacrilegious; unworthy of

本体

hontai

substance; actual form; object of worship

文体

buntai

Literary style

物体

buttai

body; object

肉体

nikutai

the body; the meat

天体

tentai

Celestial Body

体裁

teisai

decency; style; shape; appearance; show; get-up; format

tei

appearance; air; condition; state; form

団体

dantai

organization; Association

Romaji: karada
Kana: からだ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3, jlpt-n1, jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: body's health

Meaning in English: body;health

Definition: living beings.

Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences

How to Write in Japanese - (体) karada

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (体) karada:

Example Sentences - (体) karada

See below some example sentences:

この液体は飽和状態です。

Kono ekitai wa hōwa jōtai desu

This liquid is in a state of saturation.

This liquid is saturated.

  • この - indicates that what follows refers to something close to the speaker, in this case, "this"
  • 液体 - Noun meaning "liquid"
  • は - particle that indicates the theme of the sentence, in this case, "the liquid"
  • 飽和状態 - compound noun meaning "state of saturation"
  • です - Verb "to be" in polite form
アップすると体が温まります。

Appu suru to karada ga atatamarimasu

When you send it, your body heats up.

  • アップする - warm up, prepare
  • と - particle indicating condition or consequence
  • 体 - body
  • が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
  • 温まります - warm up
この字体は美しいですね。

Kono jitai wa utsukushii desu ne

This source is beautiful

This source is beautiful.

  • この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
  • 字体 - noun that means "font" or "style of writing"
  • は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
  • 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
  • です - verb to be in the polite form
  • ね - particle at the end of a sentence that indicates confirmation or seeks agreement
この物体は何ですか?

Kono buttai wa nan desu ka?

What is this object?

What is this object?

  • この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
  • 物体 - noun meaning "object" or "body"
  • は - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
  • 何 - interrogative pronoun that means "what"
  • です - verb to be in the polite form
  • か - interrogative particle indicating a question
リットルは液体の体積の単位です。

Rittoru wa ekitai no tairyaku no tan'i desu

The liter is the unit of the volume of the liquid.

  • リットル - unit of volume measurement
  • は - Topic particle
  • 液体 - liquid
  • の - Possession particle
  • 体積 - volume
  • の - Possession particle
  • 単位 - unidade
  • です - Verb "to be" in the present tense
一体何が起こったのか?

Ittai nani ga okotta no ka?

What happened?

  • 一体 - It means "after all" or "in the end."
  • 何 - it means "what"
  • が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
  • 起こった - "ocorrer" no passado = "happen" in the past
  • の - Particle that indicates a question
  • か - Particle that indicates a question
主体は自分自身である。

Shutai wa jibun jishin de aru

The subject is himself.

The subject is yourself.

  • 主体 (shutai) - subject, individual
  • は (wa) - Topic particle
  • 自分 (jibun) - yourself, yourself
  • 自身 (jishin) - yourself, yourself
  • である (dearu) - to be
人体は複雑な構造を持っています。

Jintai wa fukuzatsu na kozo o motte imasu

The human body has a complicated structure.

  • 人体 (jintai) - Human body
  • は (wa) - Topic particle
  • 複雑 (fukuzatsu) - complex
  • な (na) - adjectival particle
  • 構造 (kouzou) - structure
  • を (wo) - direct object particle
  • 持っています (motteimasu) - Have, possess
体を鍛えることは健康に良いです。

Karada wo kitaeru koto wa kenkou ni yoi desu

Exercising the body is good for health.

Training your body is good for your health.

  • 体を鍛えること - means "exercising the body".
  • は - topic particle.
  • 健康に - means "for health".
  • 良いです - means "it's good".
体力が必要です。

Tairyoku ga hitsuyou desu

Physical energy is required.

I need physical strength.

  • 体力 - means "physical strength" or "bodily energy".
  • が - Grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
  • 必要 - means "necessary" or "essential".
  • です - verb "to be" in the present tense, used to indicate a polite statement.

Other Words of this Type: noun

See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun

換気

kanki

ventilation

記入

kinyuu

Prohibited; fill in the forms

市場

ichiba

Market (of the city); Marketplace; Market

夜更かし

yofukashi

Staying awake late; staying up late; sitting up late at night; Nighthawk

暗殺

ansatsu

murder

body