Understanding "健身" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 健身
• Pinyin: jiàn shēn
• Literal Meaning: "build body"
• Primary Meaning: "fitness" or "to work out" (referring to physical exercise to improve health and strength)

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage:
• "健身" is a general term for physical exercise aimed at improving health, strength, or appearance. It can refer to activities like weightlifting, cardio, yoga, or any structured workout routine.
• Commonly used in phrases like "去健身" (go work out), "健身房" (gym), or "健身计划" (fitness plan).

• Unlike "运动" (yùn dòng), which broadly means "sports" or "physical activity," "健身" specifically emphasizes intentional exercise for fitness.

• Character Breakdown:

• 健 (jiàn): Means "healthy" or "strengthen."
• 身 (shēn): Means "body."
• Together, they convey the idea of "building a healthy body."

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 我每天下班后去健身。
   Pinyin: Wǒ měi tiān xià bān hòu qù jiàn shēn.
   English: I go to work out every day after work.

2. Chinese: 这个健身房设备很齐全。
   Pinyin: Zhè ge jiàn shēn fáng shè bèi hěn qí quán.
   English: This gym has very complete equipment.

3. Chinese: 健身需要坚持才能看到效果。
   Pinyin: Jiàn shēn xū yào jiān chí cái néng kàn dào xiào guǒ.
   English: Fitness requires persistence to see results.

Cultural Notes

• In recent years, "健身" has become increasingly popular in China, with more people joining gyms or following fitness trends like yoga, Pilates, or CrossFit.
• The government promotes "全民健身" (quán mín jiàn shēn, "national fitness") to encourage a healthier lifestyle.
• Social media platforms like Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) and Douyin (TikTok) feature many fitness influencers sharing workout tips.

Conclusion

"健身" (jiàn shēn) is a versatile term for fitness and working out, reflecting China's growing focus on health and wellness. Remember it as "building a healthy body," and use it to talk about gym routines or exercise habits.