体操競技(たいそうきょうぎ)

Composed of 体操(たいそう) (gymnastics, exercise) and 競技(きょうぎ) (competitive sport). While 体操(たいそう) alone can mean general exercise or calisthenics (like ラジオ体操(たいそう)), adding 競技(きょうぎ) specifies the competitive sport.

Japan has a strong tradition in artistic gymnastics, with notable athletes like 内村航平(うちむらこうへい) dominating the sport internationally. The sport is governed in Japan by the 日本体操協会(にほんたいそうきょうかい).

Common collocations

• 体操競技(たいそうきょうぎ)選手(せんしゅ): gymnast (competitive)
• 男子(だんし)体操競技(たいそうきょうぎ): men's gymnastics
• 女子(じょし)体操競技(たいそうきょうぎ): women's gymnastics
• 体操競技(たいそうきょうぎ)団体(だんたい): gymnastics team event

Similar words

• 体操(たいそう): gymnastics; exercise — broader term, includes non-competitive exercise
• 新体操(しんたいそう): rhythmic gymnastics — a different discipline using ribbons, balls, etc.
• 器械体操(きかいたいそう): apparatus gymnastics — emphasizes the equipment-based events