肉体(にくたい)

にくたい
noun
physical body; flesh
body-part
1. physical body, flesh
The physical, material body as opposed to the mind or spirit. Emphasizes the corporeal, fleshy aspect of the body. Often used in philosophical, literary, or fitness contexts.
肉体(にくたい)を鍛(きた)える。
Train the body.
肉体(にくたい)労働(ろうどう)は精神的(せいしんてき)にもきつい。
Physical labor is mentally demanding as well.
精神(せいしん)と肉体(にくたい)のバランスを保(たも)つことが健康(けんこう)の秘訣(ひけつ)だ。
Maintaining a balance between mind and body is the secret to good health.

Usage

More literary and emphatic than 体(からだ). While 体(からだ) is the everyday word for body, 肉体(にくたい) stresses the physical, material aspect — flesh and muscle — often in contrast with 精神(せいしん) (mind/spirit). Common in philosophical discussions, literature, and fitness contexts.

Common collocations

  • 肉体(にくたい)を鍛(きた)える (train one's body)
  • 肉体(にくたい)労働(ろうどう) (physical labor)
  • 肉体(にくたい)的(てき) (physical, bodily)
  • 肉体(にくたい)美(び) (physical beauty)
  • 肉体(にくたい)改造(かいぞう) (body transformation)

Similar words

Related Words

Antonym: 精神(せいしん) (mind, spirit)
Related: 心身(しんしん) (mind and body together)
Compare: 身体(しんたい) (body)
Related: 生身(なまみ) (flesh and blood)
Compare: 生身(なまみ)の (flesh-and-blood)
general
Added 2026.2.27 15:55 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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