体
からだ
karada
= body; physical condition
体 (karada) is one of those words that quietly anchors everyday Japanese life — it refers not just to the physical body, but to how your body feels, making it the go-to word whenever someone asks about your health or wishes you well.
体 carries two closely related meanings. First, it refers to the physical body as a whole — 全身 (zenshin) means the entire body, but 体 is the everyday word you reach for when talking about your physical self. Second, it describes your body’s condition or state of health: 体が悪い means “not feeling well,” and 体の調子はどうですか means “how is your body doing?” This dual sense — structure and condition — is what makes 体 so versatile.
Two related words are worth knowing: 身体 (shintai) shares the same meaning but appears in formal or official contexts (medical forms, legal documents, school regulations). 肉体 (nikutai) emphasizes the flesh and physicality of the body, appearing in literary, philosophical, or athletic contexts where the physical nature of the body is being stressed.
The most common mix-up for learners is 体 (karada) vs 身体 (shintai). Both mean “body,” but 体 is natural in everyday speech while 身体 appears on hospital intake forms, school physical examination notices, and legal documents. If you are speaking or texting casually, always use 体.
The phrase 体に気をつけてください (karada ni ki wo tsukete kudasai) — “please take care of yourself” — is one of the most useful parting phrases in Japanese. A shorter version, 体に気をつけてね, works among friends. Knowing when Japanese people say this (before a long trip, after someone mentions stress or cold weather) helps you recognize it as a genuine expression of care rather than a formality.
体 combines the 亻 radical (a simplified form of 人, meaning “person”) on the left with 本 (hon, meaning “root” or “origin”) on the right. Together they suggest “the root of a person” — the foundational physical self from which everything else grows. This character replaced an older, more complex form and became standard in modern Japanese.
Everyday use
最近、体の調子はどうですか？
Saikin, karada no choushi wa dou desu ka?
How has your body been feeling lately?
Casual / Social Media
風邪気味だから、体に気をつけてね。
Kaze gimi dakara, karada ni ki wo tsukete ne.
You seem to be coming down with a cold — take care of yourself.
Formal / Cultural context
長時間のフライトの後は、体をしっかり休めることが大切です。
Nagajikan no furaito no ato wa, karada wo shikkari yasumeru koto ga taisetsu desu.
After a long flight, it is important to give your body proper rest.
In Japan, asking about someone’s 体 (body/physical condition) is a core social gesture. The concept of 体調管理 (taichou kanri) — actively managing your physical condition — is treated not merely as personal health but as a form of social responsibility. Coming to work or school while ill is seen as inconsiderate because it risks spreading illness, so maintaining your 体 is framed as something you do for others as much as for yourself.
Expressions of concern for another person’s 体 punctuate Japanese conversation at natural transition points: the end of a work week, the approach of seasonal changes (particularly the hot-cold swings of spring and autumn), or whenever someone mentions they have been busy or stressed. Saying 体に気をつけてね signals attentiveness to the other person’s wellbeing and is one of the warmest, most natural closings in casual Japanese.