全然運動する

You use 全然運動する when someone asks about your exercise routine or physical activity. It's a response that clearly states your inactivity. You can use it when talking to friends, family, or even in a casual work setting if the topic comes up. The key is the 全然 (zenzen), which amplifies the negation. It's not just 'I don't exercise'; it's 'I *absolutely* don't exercise.' You can also use it with other verbs to express complete lack of action, but with 運動する, it’s specifically about fitness. It’s a very direct way to communicate your current state of non-movement. Imagine your friend is raving about their new marathon training plan, and you want to chime in with your own… lack of progress.

• Texting a friend: "最近どう？運動してる？" (Saikin dou? Undou shiteru?) "うーん、全然運動してないんだよね。" (Uun, zenzen undou shitenai n da yo.)
• Talking to family: "週末は何かアクティブに過ごした？」 (Shuumatsu wa nani ka akuteibu ni sugoshita?) "いや、家でゴロゴロしてただけ。全然運動してないよ。" (Iya, ie de gorogoro shitetadake. Zenzen undou shitenai yo.)
• Social media comment: "Wow, you're so fit!" "Haha, thanks! I wish! I'm actually 全然運動してない right now lol."

Use 全然運動する when you want to be completely upfront about your lack of exercise. It's perfect for casual conversations with people you know well. If a friend asks if you've been to the gym, or if you're joining a new sports team, this phrase is your honest answer. It's also great for self-deprecating humor. You can say it with a smile to show you're aware of your inactivity but not overly concerned. It fits situations where honesty is appreciated and a bit of lightheartedness is welcome. Think of it as admitting your Netflix binge is your primary form of cardio.

Avoid 全然運動する in formal settings. If you're in a job interview for a personal trainer position, or discussing your health with a doctor, this phrase is inappropriate. It's too casual and implies a complete disregard for physical health. Also, avoid it if you're trying to impress someone or portray an active lifestyle. If you *have* been exercising, even a little, using this phrase would be misleading. It’s for admitting zero effort, not for downplaying a moderate workout. It's not the phrase to use when you want to sound like you're climbing Mount Everest on weekends.

The biggest mistake is using 全然 (zenzen) with a positive verb or in a context where it doesn't negate strongly. 全然 *must* be followed by a negative form of the verb or imply a strong negation. Another mistake is using it in formal situations where a more polite or nuanced expression is needed. Sometimes, people might forget the する (suru) and just say 全然運動 (zenzen undou), which sounds incomplete or like a noun phrase fragment. It's like saying 'totally sport' instead of 'totally *doing* sport'.

• 全く運動しない (mattaku undou shinai): Very similar, 全く (mattaku) also means 'not at all' and is a strong negation. It's slightly more formal than 全然.
• 運動不足 (undou busoku): This means 'lack of exercise' or 'exercise deficiency.' It's a noun phrase describing the state, rather than an action. You'd say "I *have* an exercise deficiency" (運動不足です).
• 体を動かさない (karada o ugokasanai): Literally 'not moving the body.' It's a more general way to say you're inactive, not specifically about structured exercise.

The most common variation is using the continuous form: 全然運動してない (zenzen undou shitenai). This implies you haven't been exercising recently or for a period of time. It's very natural in spoken Japanese. You might also hear it shortened in extremely casual speech, but 全然運動してない is standard. Sometimes, people might use 全然 with other verbs to express a complete lack of something, like 全然わからない (zenzen wakaranai - I don't understand at all) or 全然大丈夫 (zenzen daijoubu - completely okay).