(じゅうなんたいそう)

じゅうなんたいそう
noun
stretching exercises; flexibility exercises
1. stretching exercises; flexibility exercises; calisthenics for flexibility
Physical exercises designed to increase the body's flexibility and range of motion, typically involving bending, reaching, and holding stretched positions.
毎朝(まいあさ)柔軟体操(じゅうなんたいそう)をしている。
I do stretching exercises every morning.
運動(うんどう)(まえ)には柔軟体操(じゅうなんたいそう)(からだ)をほぐしましょう。
Let's loosen up with stretching exercises before working out.
(とし)()ると(からだ)(かた)くなりがちだが、毎日(まいにち)柔軟体操(じゅうなんたいそう)(つづ)ければ怪我(けが)予防(よぼう)にもなる。
As you age, your body tends to become stiff, but continuing stretching exercises every day can also help prevent injuries.

A compound of 柔軟(じゅうなん) (flexible, supple) and 体操(たいそう) (gymnastics, exercises). This is the traditional Japanese term for stretching exercises. While the English loanword ストレッチ is now widely used, 柔軟体操(じゅうなんたいそう) remains common in school PE classes and among older generations.

In Japanese schools, students typically do 柔軟体操(じゅうなんたいそう) as part of 体育(たいいく) (physical education). Flexibility is often tested in fitness assessments.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 柔軟体操(じゅうなんたいそう)をする: to do stretching exercises
  • 柔軟体操(じゅうなんたいそう)(からだ)をほぐす: to loosen up the body with stretching
  • 柔軟体操(じゅうなんたいそう)(つづ)ける: to keep up stretching exercises

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • ストレッチ: stretching — the modern loanword, now more common in gyms and fitness contexts
  • 準備運動(じゅんびうんどう): warm-up exercises — broader term including light jogging and other warm-up activities, not just stretching
  • 体操(たいそう): gymnastics; exercises — the general term for physical exercises and calisthenics
  • ヨガ: yoga — includes stretching but also breathing and meditation