運動

うんどうする

exercise

JLPT N4

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"運動" (うんどう) primarily means "exercise" or "physical activity." It is commonly used to talk about activities that involve bodily movement to improve health or fitness.

Common Contexts

You will often hear "運動する" (to exercise) in daily conversation, especially when discussing health, sports, or fitness routines. It can refer to anything from jogging, stretching, to playing sports.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 運動する: to exercise
  • 運動不足: lack of exercise
  • 運動会: sports day (school event)
  • 運動能力: physical ability

Register and Nuance

"運動" is a neutral term suitable for both casual and formal contexts. When used with "する," it becomes a verb phrase meaning "to exercise."

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "運動" with "運転" (うんてん, driving). Pay attention to the kanji and context to avoid mixing these two.

Understanding "運動" helps you talk naturally about health and fitness activities in Japanese.

Example Sentences

まいあさジョギングでうんどうしています。

I exercise by jogging every morning.

けんこうのためにうんどうをはじめました。

I started exercising for my health.

うんどうぶそくはからだにわるいです。

Lack of exercise is bad for the body.