1.
athletic ability; physical fitness; motor skills
The ability to perform physical activities effectively. Encompasses coordination, speed, strength, endurance, and other physical capabilities.
彼は運動能力が高い。
He has high athletic ability.
子供の運動能力は年齢とともに発達する。
Children's motor skills develop with age.
最近の調査によると、子供たちの運動能力が低下しているそうだ。
According to a recent survey, children's physical fitness is reportedly declining.
A compound of 運動 (exercise, movement) and 能力 (ability, capacity). Frequently appears in discussions about sports, education, and child development.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 運動能力が高い/低い — to have high/low athletic ability
- 運動能力が優れている — to have excellent athletic ability
- 運動能力テスト — fitness test
- 運動能力の向上 — improvement of athletic ability
- 運動能力の低下 — decline in physical fitness
RELATED TERMS:
- 体力 — physical strength/stamina (more about endurance and raw physical power)
- 運動神経 — motor coordination; colloquially used to mean "being good/bad at sports"
- 身体能力 — physical ability (broader, includes non-sport contexts)
NOTE:
In Japanese schools, students take 体力テスト (運動能力テスト) — standardized fitness tests measuring grip strength, flexibility, running speed, and other metrics. Results are tracked nationally, and declining scores are a topic of public concern.