In 15 Seconds
- Means to exercise or stay active frequently.
- Combines 'yoku' (often) with 'undou suru' (to exercise).
- A positive, safe topic for small talk and introductions.
Meaning
This phrase is used to describe the habit of working out or staying physically active on a regular basis. It's a simple, positive way to talk about your fitness routine or healthy lifestyle.
Key Examples
3 of 6Introducing yourself to a new group
趣味は読書で、週末はよく運動します。
My hobby is reading, and I often exercise on weekends.
Catching up with a friend
最近、よく運動してる？
Have you been exercising often lately?
Talking to a doctor
健康のために、毎日よく運動するようにしています。
I try to exercise often every day for my health.
Cultural Background
Radio Taiso (Radio Calisthenics) is a prime example of 'yoku undou suru'. Millions of Japanese people do these same movements every morning. Some Japanese companies have mandatory exercise breaks to ensure employees 'yoku undou suru' even during work hours. In crowded cities like Tokyo, 'exercising often' frequently means walking long distances between train stations rather than going to a gym. The 'Undou-kai' (Sports Day) is a major event that teaches children the value of physical activity and teamwork.
Use with '~te iru'
To sound more natural when talking about your current life, say 'yoku undou shite imasu' instead of just 'shimasu'.
Frequency vs. Quality
Remember that 'yoku' here means 'often'. If you want to say you are 'good at sports', use 'supootsu ga tokui desu'.
In 15 Seconds
- Means to exercise or stay active frequently.
- Combines 'yoku' (often) with 'undou suru' (to exercise).
- A positive, safe topic for small talk and introductions.
What It Means
よく運動する is your go-to phrase for describing a consistent fitness habit. The word よく (yoku) means "often" or "frequently." The word 運動 (undou) means "exercise," and する (suru) is the verb "to do." Together, they paint a picture of someone who stays active. It doesn't just mean lifting heavy weights at the gym. It can include walking, swimming, or even a brisk hike. It’s a very positive and healthy expression to use.
How To Use It
You can use this phrase in several ways depending on who you are talking to. With friends, you can use the dictionary form よく運動する. To be more polite, change it to よく運動します. If you want to emphasize that you are currently in the habit, use よく運動しています. It usually follows the subject of the sentence. For example, 私はよく運動します (I often exercise). You can also turn it into a question by adding ka at the end. It’s a great way to start a conversation about health.
When To Use It
This phrase is perfect for small talk. Use it when meeting someone new and discussing hobbies. It’s a common topic at parties or during lunch breaks. You might also use it in a medical context when a doctor asks about your lifestyle. If you're texting a friend to stay motivated, this phrase works perfectly. It’s also a safe topic for self-introductions in a professional setting. Everyone respects a person who takes care of their health!
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this if you only hit the gym once a month. That’s not "often"! Also, avoid using it for professional sports training. For pros, more specific terms like トレーニング (training) are better. It is strictly for physical movement, so don't use it for mental "exercise" like Sudoku. Avoid using it to sound boastful or to judge others' habits. Keep it light and conversational. If you're at a funeral, maybe skip the fitness talk.
Cultural Background
In Japan, staying active is deeply rooted in the culture. You will often see people of all ages doing ラジオ体操 (Radio Calisthenics) in local parks. Health is highly valued, and being active is seen as a sign of self-discipline. Many Japanese companies even have dedicated time for stretching. This phrase reflects the national push for longevity and wellness. It’s a very safe and socially acceptable topic for almost any situation.
Common Variations
If you don't exercise much, you can say あまり運動しない. If you are a fitness fanatic, try 毎日運動する (exercise every day). If you want to sound more casual, you can say よく体を動かす (often move my body). Another common related term is 運動不足 (undou busoku), which means a lack of exercise. This is a very common "complaint" among Japanese office workers. Use these variations to sound more like a native speaker!
Usage Notes
The phrase is highly versatile and safe for all levels of formality as long as you conjugate the verb `suru` correctly. It is a neutral expression that avoids being too clinical or too slangy.
Use with '~te iru'
To sound more natural when talking about your current life, say 'yoku undou shite imasu' instead of just 'shimasu'.
Frequency vs. Quality
Remember that 'yoku' here means 'often'. If you want to say you are 'good at sports', use 'supootsu ga tokui desu'.
The 'Amari' Rule
Always switch 'yoku' to 'amari' in negative sentences to avoid sounding like a robot.
Modesty
Even if you are a marathon runner, saying 'yoku undou shimasu' sounds humble and polite.
Examples
6趣味は読書で、週末はよく運動します。
My hobby is reading, and I often exercise on weekends.
Using the polite 'shimasu' form for a self-introduction.
最近、よく運動してる？
Have you been exercising often lately?
Casual 'shiteru' form used for friends.
健康のために、毎日よく運動するようにしています。
I try to exercise often every day for my health.
A formal and responsible way to describe habits.
明日からよく運動するぞ！
I'm going to exercise often starting tomorrow!
The 'zo' particle adds a masculine, motivated punch.
口だけはよく運動するんだけどね。
Only my mouth exercises often, though.
A play on words implying the person talks a lot but doesn't move.
父は退職してから、よく運動するようになりました。
My father started exercising often after he retired.
Describes a positive life change.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct adverb to say 'I exercise often.'
{私|わたし}は_____{運動|うんどう}します。
'Yoku' is the correct adverb for 'often' in this context.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I don't exercise much'?
Choose the correct negative form:
In negative sentences, 'amari' is used instead of 'yoku' to mean 'not much'.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: {最近|さいきん}、{体|からだ}の{調子|ちょうし}がいいですね。 B: ええ、{毎日|まいにち}_____から。
The '~te iru' form is best for describing an ongoing habit that results in a current state (feeling good).
Match the phrase to the most likely situation.
Phrase: 「もっとよく{運動|うんどう}したほうがいいですよ。」
This is a classic piece of medical advice for improving health.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Types of {運動|うんどう}
Activities
- • Walking
- • Running
- • Swimming
- • Gym
Practice Bank
4 exercises{私|わたし}は_____{運動|うんどう}します。
'Yoku' is the correct adverb for 'often' in this context.
Choose the correct negative form:
In negative sentences, 'amari' is used instead of 'yoku' to mean 'not much'.
A: {最近|さいきん}、{体|からだ}の{調子|ちょうし}がいいですね。 B: ええ、{毎日|まいにち}_____から。
The '~te iru' form is best for describing an ongoing habit that results in a current state (feeling good).
Phrase: 「もっとよく{運動|うんどう}したほうがいいですよ。」
This is a classic piece of medical advice for improving health.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsTechnically yes, but in 99% of cases, it means 'often'. If you mean 'skillfully', use 'jouzu ni'.
No, it covers walking, swimming, sports, and even heavy gardening.
'Undou' is the general act of physical activity; 'supootsu' refers to organized games with rules.
Use 'zenzen undou shimasen'.
Yes, if you use the 'shimasu' form, it is perfectly polite.
Related Phrases
{体|からだ}を{動|うご}かす
similarTo move one's body
{筋|きん}トレする
specialized formTo do weight training
{健康|けんこう}に{気|き}をつける
builds onTo take care of one's health
{散歩|さんぽ}する
specialized formTo take a walk
{鍛|きた}える
similarTo train/forge
