1.
warm-up exercises; preparatory exercises; stretching
Light exercises performed before physical activity to prepare the body, prevent injury, and improve performance. A standard part of physical education and sports in Japan.
泳ぐ前に準備体操をしよう。
Let's do warm-up exercises before swimming.
準備体操をしないで走ったら、足をつってしまった。
I got a leg cramp because I ran without warming up.
体育の授業では、まず全員で準備体操をしてから運動を始める。
In PE class, everyone does warm-up exercises together before starting the activity.
USAGE:
A fundamental concept in Japanese physical education. In schools, students typically perform 準備体操 at the beginning of every PE class. Many workplaces also do 朝の体操 (morning exercises), such as ラジオ体操.
FORMATION:
準備 (preparation) + 体操 (physical exercises, gymnastics).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 準備体操をする (to do warm-up exercises)
- 準備体操から始める (to start with warm-ups)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- ウォーミングアップ: warming up — loanword, used in sports contexts
- ストレッチ: stretching — focuses specifically on stretching muscles
- 整理体操: cool-down exercises — done after exercise to help the body recover