1.
athletic ability; physical coordination; reflexes
A person's natural aptitude for sports and physical activities. Literally means "motor nerves" but is used colloquially to mean general athletic talent or physical coordination.
彼は運動神経がいい。
He has good athletic ability.
運動神経が悪いので、スポーツは苦手だ。
I'm bad at sports because I'm not physically coordinated.
姉は運動神経が抜群で、どんなスポーツもすぐ上達する。
My older sister has outstanding athletic ability and quickly improves at any sport.
運動神経 literally means "motor nerves" (運動 = movement + 神経 = nerves). In medical contexts it refers to the actual motor nervous system, but in everyday usage it refers to a person's natural athletic talent.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 運動神経がいい (to be athletic / physically coordinated)
- 運動神経が悪い (to be unathletic / uncoordinated)
- 運動神経が鈍い (to have slow reflexes)
- 運動神経抜群 (outstanding athletic ability)
USAGE NOTES:
This is a very common expression in daily conversation. Japanese people frequently describe themselves or others as having good or bad 運動神経. It encompasses overall physical coordination, not just speed or strength.