1.
abdominal muscles; abs
The muscles of the abdomen. Often used in fitness and health contexts.
腹筋が痛い。
My abs are sore.
腹筋が割れている人に憧れる。
I admire people with defined abs.
水泳選手は腹筋がとても鍛えられている。
Swimmers have very well-trained abdominal muscles.
2.
sit-ups; crunches
Short for the exercise that works the abdominal muscles. Used colloquially to refer to the exercise itself.
毎日腹筋をする。
I do sit-ups every day.
腹筋を五十回やった。
I did fifty sit-ups.
寝る前に腹筋と腕立て伏せを続けたら、体が引き締まってきた。
By doing sit-ups and push-ups before bed, my body has gotten more toned.
USAGE: 腹筋 has two common uses. As an anatomical term it refers to the abdominal muscles, and in everyday speech it often refers to the sit-up exercise itself.
The expression 腹筋が割れる (abs are split/divided) means to have a visible six-pack.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 腹筋を鍛える: to train one's abs
- 腹筋が割れる: to have defined abs (six-pack)
- 腹筋をする: to do sit-ups
- 腹筋運動: abdominal exercises