1.
muscular; well-built; having a muscular build
Describes a body type characterized by well-developed muscles and low body fat. Combines 筋肉 (muscle) with 質 (quality/nature), literally meaning "of a muscular nature."
彼は筋肉質な体をしている。
He has a muscular build.
水泳選手は筋肉質な人が多い。
Many swimmers have muscular builds.
トレーニングを続けた結果、以前より筋肉質な体型になった。
As a result of continued training, I developed a more muscular physique than before.
USAGE:
筋肉質 is a na-adjective describing a body type with well-defined muscles. It is neutral and descriptive, without the exaggerated connotations that "macho" or "buff" might carry in English.
PATTERNS:
- 筋肉質な体 (a muscular body)
- 筋肉質な体型 (a muscular build/physique)
SIMILAR WORDS:
マッチョ is a loanword from English/Spanish meaning "macho" or "muscular," often used casually and sometimes humorously. 筋肉質 is more neutral and clinical. {がっしりした} describes a sturdy, solidly built body but does not specifically emphasize muscles.