Translation and Meaning of: 運動 - undou

If you are learning Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 運動[うんどう]. It frequently appears in daily contexts, from conversations to educational materials. But what does it actually mean? How is it used in Japan? In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and practical uses of this word, as well as tips for memorizing it effectively. If you want to understand how the Japanese perceive the concept of "movement" or "exercise," keep reading!

The meaning and translation of 運動 [うんどう]

The word 運動[うんどう] can be translated into Portuguese as "physical exercise," "movement," or even "sports activity." It is composed of two kanjis: 運 (luck, transport) and 動 (movement). Together, they convey the idea of something that moves or requires action. Unlike English, where "exercise" and "movement" are distinct , in Japanese, 運動 can encom both meanings.

In daily life, Japanese people use 運動 to refer to everything from light physical activities, like walking, to more intense sports. For example, saying "運動をする" (undou wo suru) means "to exercise." It is a versatile word, present in conversations about health, education, and even in news reports about sports events.

The origin and etymology of 運動

The combination of the kanjis 運 and 動 is not random. While 運 carries the notion of transport or movement, 動 represents action or change of position. Together, they form a term that refers to physical movement, but also to dynamism. This construction reflects the way the Japanese language often unites ideas to create new meanings.

Interestingly, 運動 can also appear in non-physical contexts, such as in 政治運動 (seiji undou), which means "political movement." However, its most common use remains related to physical activities. Scholars point out that the popularization of the term in the sense of "exercise" gained traction during the Meiji period, when Japan began to incorporate Western practices of physical education.

How to memorize and use 運動 in everyday life

To fix this word, a tip is to associate it with concrete situations. Think of phrases like "毎日運動します" (mainichi undou shimasu), which means "I exercise every day". Repeating expressions like this helps to memorize not only the vocabulary but also the grammatical structure. Another strategy is to link 運動 to well-known Japanese habits, such as radio taisou (morning exercises broadcasted by radio).

Moreover, it is worth noting that 運動 is a high-frequency word in both spoken and written Japanese. It appears on gym signs, health-related TV programs, and even in ments for sports products. If you want to sound natural when talking about physical activities in Japanese, mastering this term is essential. How about trying to use it the next time you talk about your exercise habits?

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 運動する (undou suru) - Practice exercise
• スポーツ (supōtsu) - sport
• 体育 (taiiku) - Educação física
• 運動会 (undoukai) - School sports festival
• 運動量 (undouryou) - Amount of exercise
• 運動不足 (undoubusoku) - Lack of exercise
• 運動不足解消 (undoubusoku kaishou) - Mitigation of lack of exercise
• 運動不足解消法 (undoubusoku kaishouhou) - Methods to mitigate lack of exercise
• 運動不足解消に効果的 (undoubusoku kaishou ni kouka teki) - Effective for addressing lack of exercise
• 運動不足解消におすすめ (undoubusoku kaishou ni osusume) - Recommended to solve the lack of exercise.
• 運動不足解消に役立つ (undoubusoku kaishou ni yakudatsu) - Useful for resolving the lack of exercise
• 運動不足解消に効く (undoubusoku kaishou ni kiku) - Start to address the lack of exercise
• 運動不足解消に最適 (undoubusoku kaishou ni saiteki) - Great for mitigating the lack of exercise.
• 運動不足解消に必要なこと (undoubusoku kaishou ni hitsuyou na koto) - Things needed to solve the lack of exercise