痩せ型
Meaning: Slim body type; a naturally thin build, sometimes implying being underweight.
痩せ型 is one of the basic body type categories in Japanese, alongside 普通体型 (average) and ぽっちゃり (chubby). In Japan's beauty culture, 痩せ型 has traditionally been idealized, especially for women. However, growing awareness of eating disorders and the ボディポジティブ movement has started to challenge the uncritical praise of extreme thinness. The term can be neutral or carry concern depending on context.
Examples
- 痩せ型だからって健康とは限らないよ。 偏瘦体型不代表一定健康。Que tengas constitución delgada no significa que estés sano.마른 체형이라고 해서 꼭 건강한 건 아니야.
- いくら食べても太らない痩せ型体質が羨ましい。 怎么吃都不胖的偏瘦体质真让人羡慕。Envidio a la gente con constitución delgada que come lo que quiere y no engorda.아무리 먹어도 안 찌는 마른 체질이 부러워.
- 痩せ型の人向けの筋トレメニューってある? 有没有适合偏瘦体型的人的健身菜单?¿Hay rutinas de musculación específicas para personas de constitución delgada?마른 체형인 사람을 위한 근력 운동 메뉴가 있어?
Pronunciation
/ja.se.ɡa.ta/
Usage Guide
Context: daily conversation, health, fashion
Tone: descriptive, sometimes envious
✓ Do Say
- 痩せ型だけど最近筋トレ始めた。 (I have a slim build but I recently started weight training.)我是偏瘦体型,但最近开始健身了。Tengo constitución delgada, pero hace poco empecé a hacer pesas.마른 체형이지만 최근 근력 운동을 시작했어. (마른 편인데 요즘 웨이트를 시작했어.)
- 痩せ型の人は冷え性になりやすいらしいよ。 (Apparently slim people are more prone to poor circulation.)据说偏瘦的人更容易手脚冰凉。Dicen que las personas delgadas son más propensas a tener mala circulación.마른 체형인 사람은 냉증에 걸리기 쉽다고 해. (날씬한 사람은 수족 냉증이 생기기 쉽대.)
✗ Don't Say
- 「痩せ型でいいね」と安易に褒めない — 本人は悩んでいる場合もある (Don't casually compliment someone for being slim — they might actually struggle with being underweight)不要随意夸'你好瘦真好'——本人可能正为体重过轻而烦恼No elogies a alguien a la ligera por ser delgado — puede que en realidad le preocupe estar por debajo de su peso.「마른 체형이라 좋겠다」라고 가볍게 칭찬하지 말 것 — 본인은 고민하고 있을 수 있음 (마른 걸 가볍게 칭찬하지 마세요 — 본인은 저체중으로 고민하고 있을 수도 있습니다)
Common Mistakes
- Assuming 痩せ型 is always a compliment — some people with this body type struggle to gain weight or muscle and may be self-conscious about it
Origin & History
Compound of 痩せ (thin, slim; from 痩せる to lose weight) + 型 (type/build). A standard body type descriptor used in health, fashion, and daily conversation.
Cultural Context
Era: Traditional term, ongoing usage
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Japan has one of the highest rates of underweight young women in developed nations, and the cultural idealization of 痩せ型 has been increasingly questioned.
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