健身

• Pinyin: jiàn shēn
• Hanzi breakdown: 健 = 亻(person) + 建 (build) — to build up a person's strength; 身 = pictograph of a person's body

Meaning

To work out; to exercise. Physical activity aimed at improving fitness and health.

A very popular modern term covering gym workouts, fitness activities, and exercise routines. Common collocations include 健身房 (gym), 健身教练 (fitness trainer), 健身器材 (exercise equipment), and 健身计划 (fitness plan). Has become increasingly trendy in urban China with the growth of fitness culture.

Examples

1. 他每天下班以后都会去健身房健身。 He goes to the gym to work out every day after work.
2. 健身不仅能减肥，还能让心情变好。 Working out not only helps you lose weight but also improves your mood.
3. 我刚开始健身的时候，全身都很酸。 When I first started working out, my whole body was sore.

Usage Guide

Context: fitness, health, lifestyle

Tone: positive

Do Say

• 你多久去一次健身房？(How often do you go to the gym?)
• 坚持健身对身体很有好处。(Sticking with exercise is very good for your health.)

Don't Say

• 我在公园健身走路 (Don't use 健身 for casual walking — 健身 implies purposeful exercise or working out; say 散步 for a casual walk)

Origin & History

A compound of 健 (healthy/strong) and 身 (body), literally meaning to make the body healthy and strong.

Cultural Context

Generation: Young adults and middle-aged

Social background: Universal