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| 健身 [2025/08/05 02:24] – created xiaoer | 健身 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1 |
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| ====== jiànshēn: 健身 - To Work Out, To Exercise, Fitness ====== | |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | |
| * **Keywords:** jianshen, 健身, Chinese for workout, how to say gym in Chinese, Chinese fitness, exercise in Chinese, bodybuilding in China, jianshenfang, what does jianshen mean, Chinese gym culture. | |
| * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese term **健身 (jiànshēn)**, which means "to work out" or "fitness." More specific than general exercise, `jiànshēn` refers to the modern practice of going to a gym (**健身房, jiànshēnfáng**) for activities like weightlifting and cardio, with a focus on improving health and body shape. This guide explores its cultural significance in modern China, provides practical example sentences, and clarifies common confusion with related words like `运动 (yùndòng)`. | |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** jiànshēn | |
| * **Part of Speech:** Verb / Noun | |
| * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 | |
| * **Concise Definition:** To engage in physical exercise for health and bodybuilding, typically at a gym; fitness as a concept or activity. | |
| * **In a Nutshell:** Think of `jiànshēn` as the specific activity of "working out" in a modern sense. While the English word "exercise" can mean anything from a walk in the park to playing tennis, `jiànshēn` almost always implies a structured, intentional session aimed at improving physical fitness and appearance—the kind of activity you do at a gym. It's about building a strong and healthy body through dedicated training. | |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | |
| * **健 (jiàn):** This character means **healthy, strong, or robust**. It's a key component in the word for health, `健康 (jiànkāng)`. The radical on the left, `亻`, means "person." | |
| * **身 (shēn):** This character means **body, torso, or life**. It’s a pictograph of a person, emphasizing the torso. You'll see it in the word for body, `身体 (shēntǐ)`. | |
| When combined, **健身 (jiànshēn)** literally translates to "healthy body" or "to make the body healthy/strong." This perfectly captures the modern meaning of working out for the purpose of physical fitness and strength. | |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | |
| The concept of `jiànshēn` is a powerful symbol of modern, urban China. While traditional Chinese wellness practices like Tai Chi (`太极, tàijí`) and Qigong (`气功, qìgōng`) focus on balance, flexibility, and internal energy (`气, qì`), `jiànshēn` represents a more recent, Western-influenced approach to health. | |
| The `jiànshēn` boom began in the 21st century, paralleling the rise of the middle class. As disposable income grew, so did an interest in self-improvement, physical aesthetics, and a "modern" lifestyle. Gyms (`健身房, jiànshēnfáng`) sprung up in every major city, and having a gym membership became a status symbol. | |
| This contrasts with the Western experience where gym culture has been mainstream for much longer. In China, `jiànshēn` is often tied to aspirations of success and discipline. On social media, you'll see influencers "checking in" (`打卡, dǎkǎ`) at the gym, showcasing their progress and discipline. It's less about general well-being (like a leisurely jog, which would be `锻炼身体, duànliàn shēntǐ`) and more about a focused, goal-oriented lifestyle of building muscle, losing fat, and sculpting one's physique (`身材, shēncái`). | |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | |
| `jiànshēn` is a versatile word used frequently in daily conversation, especially among younger, urban populations. | |
| * **As a Verb ("to work out"):** This is its most common usage. It's an action you //do//. | |
| * `我每周去三次健身。` (Wǒ měi zhōu qù sān cì jiànshēn.) - "I go work out three times a week." | |
| * **As a Noun ("fitness"):** It can refer to the concept or industry of fitness. | |
| * `现在健身很流行。` (Xiànzài jiànshēn hěn liúxíng.) - "Fitness is very popular right now." | |
| * **In Compound Words:** It forms the base for many fitness-related terms. | |
| * `健身房 (jiànshēnfáng)` - Gym, fitness center | |
| * `健身教练 (jiànshēn jiàoliàn)` - Fitness coach, personal trainer | |
| * `健身餐 (jiànshēn cān)` - "Fitness meal," a healthy meal for those who work out | |
| * `健身器材 (jiànshēn qìcái)` - Fitness equipment | |
| ===== Example Sentences ===== | |
| * **Example 1:** | |
| * 我今天下午要去**健身**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wǒ jīntiān xiàwǔ yào qù **jiànshēn**. | |
| * English: I'm going to work out this afternoon. | |
| * Analysis: A simple, common statement of intent. `健身` is used here as a verb. | |
| * **Example 2:** | |
| * 你通常在哪家**健身房**锻炼？ | |
| * Pinyin: Nǐ tōngcháng zài nǎ jiā **jiànshēnfáng** duànliàn? | |
| * English: Which gym do you usually work out at? | |
| * Analysis: This sentence uses the compound word `健身房` (gym). Note that `锻炼` (duànliàn) is used here as the verb "to work out," which is also correct and common in this context. | |
| * **Example 3:** | |
| * **健身**不仅能改善身材，还能减轻压力。 | |
| * Pinyin: **Jiànshēn** bùjǐn néng gǎishàn shēncái, hái néng jiǎnqīng yālì. | |
| * English: Working out can not only improve your figure, but also relieve stress. | |
| * Analysis: Here, `健身` is used as a noun, representing the activity of working out. The `不仅...还...` (bùjǐn...hái...) structure means "not only...but also...". | |
| * **Example 4:** | |
| * 我的**健身教练**非常专业。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wǒ de **jiànshēn jiàoliàn** fēicháng zhuānyè. | |
| * English: My personal trainer is very professional. | |
| * Analysis: Shows the compound word `健身教练` (fitness coach). | |
| * **Example 5:** | |
| * 他坚持**健身**三年了，肌肉很发达。 | |
| * Pinyin: Tā jiānchí **jiànshēn** sān nián le, jīròu hěn fādá. | |
| * English: He has been working out consistently for three years, and his muscles are well-developed. | |
| * Analysis: `坚持` (jiānchí) means to persist or stick with something, a verb often paired with `健身`. | |
| * **Example 6:** | |
| * 很多年轻人把**健身**当作一种时尚。 | |
| * Pinyin: Hěn duō niánqīngrén bǎ **jiànshēn** dàngzuò yī zhǒng shíshàng. | |
| * English: Many young people treat fitness as a kind of fashion. | |
| * Analysis: This sentence uses `健身` as a noun/concept, highlighting its cultural role as a trend. | |
| * **Example 7:** | |
| * 为了健康，我决定开始**健身**和注意饮食。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wèile jiànkāng, wǒ juédìng kāishǐ **jiànshēn** hé zhùyì yǐnshí. | |
| * English: For the sake of my health, I decided to start working out and paying attention to my diet. | |
| * Analysis: `为了` (wèile) means "in order to" or "for the sake of," showing the motivation behind the action. | |
| * **Example 8:** | |
| * 这个**健身**App可以帮你记录每天的运动量。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhège **jiànshēn** App kěyǐ bāng nǐ jìlù měitiān de yùndòngliàng. | |
| * English: This fitness app can help you record your daily amount of exercise. | |
| * Analysis: `健身` is used as an adjective to describe the app. | |
| * **Example 9:** | |
| * 她**健身**的主要目的是减肥。 | |
| * Pinyin: Tā **jiànshēn** de zhǔyào mùdì shì jiǎnféi. | |
| * English: Her main purpose for working out is to lose weight. | |
| * Analysis: `减肥` (jiǎnféi - to lose weight) is one of the most common goals associated with `健身`. | |
| * **Example 10:** | |
| * 下班后一起去**健身**怎么样？ | |
| * Pinyin: Xiàbān hòu yīqǐ qù **jiànshēn** zěnmeyàng? | |
| * English: How about we go work out together after work? | |
| * Analysis: A common, casual invitation. `怎么样?` (zěnmeyàng?) is a great way to make a suggestion. | |
| ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | |
| The most common mistake for learners is confusing `健身 (jiànshēn)` with `运动 (yùndòng)`. They are not interchangeable. | |
| * **健身 (jiànshēn):** Specifically refers to working out in a gym or a structured exercise regimen for physical improvement (strength, aesthetics). | |
| * **Think:** Weightlifting, treadmills, CrossFit, yoga/pilates classes //at a studio//. | |
| * **运动 (yùndòng):** A much broader term for "sports" or "physical activity" in general. | |
| * **Think:** Playing basketball, swimming, jogging, hiking, playing soccer. | |
| **Incorrect Usage:** | |
| * **Wrong:** `我最喜欢的健身是打篮球。` (Wǒ zuì xǐhuān de jiànshēn shì dǎ lánqiú.) | |
| * **Why it's wrong:** Playing basketball is a sport (`运动`), not a gym workout (`健身`). You are not "building your body" in the same structured way. | |
| * **Correct:** `我最喜欢的**运动**是打篮球。` (Wǒ zuì xǐhuān de **yùndòng** shì dǎ lánqiú.) | |
| **Rule of Thumb:** If it's a sport with rules and teams, or a recreational outdoor activity, use `运动 (yùndòng)`. If it's a structured workout at a gym to build muscle or improve your physique, use `健身 (jiànshēn)`. | |
| ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== | |
| * [[健身房]] (jiànshēnfáng) - The most related term. It's the place (gym) where you do `健身`. | |
| * [[运动]] (yùndòng) - The broader term for "sports" or "exercise"; important to distinguish from `健身`. | |
| * [[锻炼]] (duànliàn) - To exercise, to train, to temper. A general term that can include `健身` as one of its forms. `锻炼身体` (duànliàn shēntǐ) means "to train the body." | |
| * [[减肥]] (jiǎnféi) - To lose weight. A primary motivator for many people to start `健身`. | |
| * [[肌肉]] (jīròu) - Muscle. Often the desired result of `健身`. | |
| * [[身材]] (shēncái) - Body shape, figure. What `健身` aims to improve or sculpt. | |
| * [[健康]] (jiànkāng) - Health. The fundamental reason for `健身`. Note the shared character `健 (jiàn)`. | |
| * [[教练]] (jiàoliàn) - Coach/trainer. A `健身教练` is a personal trainer at a gym. | |
| * [[马甲线]] (mǎjiǎxiàn) - Lit. "vest line." A popular modern fitness goal for women, referring to visible abdominal muscles, similar to "six-pack abs" but specifically for the V-shape on the obliques. | |
| * [[人鱼线]] (rényúxiàn) - Lit. "mermaid line." The male equivalent of `马甲线`, referring to the V-cut abs. | |