筋骨(きんこつ)たくましい

A set phrase combining 筋骨(きんこつ) (muscles and bones; physical frame) with たくましい (sturdy/robust). Describes someone with a visibly strong, well-muscled body — the kind of physique associated with physical laborers, athletes, or warriors.

Common collocations

• 筋骨(きんこつ)たくましい体(からだ) — a powerfully built body
• 筋骨(きんこつ)たくましい男性(だんせい) — a muscular man
• 筋骨(きんこつ)たくましい腕(うで) — brawny arms

Usage

Typically describes men, though not exclusively. The expression has a somewhat literary or descriptive quality — it appears more in written descriptions (novels, journalism, character descriptions) than in casual conversation, where マッチョ (macho) or 筋肉質(きんにくしつ) (muscular) might be preferred.

Similar words

• がっしりした — solidly built; sturdy (more casual)
• マッチョ — macho; muscular (loanword, casual)
• 筋肉質(きんにくしつ) — muscular (objective description of body type)
• たくましい — sturdy; robust (the adjective alone, broader meaning)