体調を崩す

• Reading: たいちょうをくずす
• Romaji: taichō wo kuzusu
• Kanji breakdown: 体 (tai/karada) — body; 調 (chō/shira) — tune, condition; 崩 (hō/kuzu) — crumble, collapse
• Pronunciation: /ta.i.tɕoː.o.kɯ.zɯ.sɯ/

Meaning

To fall ill; to become unwell; to have one's physical condition deteriorate.

An idiomatic expression combining 体調 (physical condition) and 崩す (to break down, destroy). Used as a polite, indirect way of saying someone got sick. More natural and common than 病気になる in everyday Japanese. Frequently used to explain absences, cancel plans, or express concern.

Examples

1. 季節の変わり目に体調を崩す人が多い。 Many people get sick at the change of seasons.
2. 無理をして体調を崩してしまった。 I pushed myself too hard and ended up falling ill.
3. 体調を崩したので今日は休ませてください。 I'm not feeling well, so please let me take today off.

Usage Guide

Context: health, workplace, daily life

Tone: concerned

Origin & History

Compound of 体調 (body condition — 体 body + 調 condition/tune) and 崩す (to break down/collapse). The metaphor is of one's well-tuned physical state crumbling or falling apart.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal