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B1 noun #7,000 most common 8 min read

体脂肪

Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 体脂肪 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 体脂肪 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use 'taishibou' often, but you might see it on labels. Think of it as 'body fat.' You can use it in very simple sentences like 'Taishibou ga kowai' (Body fat is scary) or 'Taishibou wo herashitai' (I want to reduce body fat). At this stage, just recognize the kanji 体 (body) and 脂肪 (fat). You might hear it at a gym or see it on a bottle of green tea in a convenience store. Just remember it is a noun, not an adjective. You can't say 'I am taishibou.' You have to say 'I have taishibou.' It is a basic health word that helps you understand Japanese fitness culture. Even at A1, knowing this word helps you realize that Japanese people talk about 'body fat percentage' more than just 'weight.'

At the A2 level, you can start using 'taishibou' in basic daily conversations about health and diet. You should be able to say things like 'Saikin, taishibou ga fueta' (Lately, my body fat has increased). You will learn to use the particle を with verbs like 減らす (herasu - to reduce). You might also encounter 'taishibou-ritsu' (body fat percentage) when using a scale at the gym. You should be able to ask a simple question like 'Taishibou-ritsu wa nan-paasento desu ka?' (What is your body fat percentage?). This level involves understanding that 'taishibou' is the clinical way to talk about the fat on your body, as opposed to 'futotte iru,' which describes the state of being fat. You are beginning to see the word in advertisements for healthy drinks and can understand the basic message: 'This drink is good for your body fat.'

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'taishibou' in various contexts, including discussing health checkup results or fitness routines. You understand the difference between 'taishibou' (body fat) and 'shibou' (general fat/food fat). You can use more specific verbs like 'nenshō suru' (to burn) and 'chikuseki suru' (to accumulate). You understand that 'taishibou-ritsu' is a key metric in Japan. You might say, 'Taishibou wo nenshō saseru tame ni, mainichi hashitte imasu' (I run every day to burn body fat). You also start to recognize the term 'Metabo' and how it relates to 'naizou shibou' (visceral fat). At this level, you can read short health articles or blog posts that use 'taishibou' to explain diet tips. You are aware of the cultural nuance that discussing body fat is very common and not necessarily as sensitive a topic as it might be in some Western cultures.

At the B2 level, you can use 'taishibou' in technical or semi-formal discussions. You can explain the difference between 'hikas hibou' (subcutaneous fat) and 'naizou shibou' (visceral fat) to someone else. You can participate in a debate about health policies in Japan, such as the mandatory waistline checks. You understand the nuances of register—using 'taishibou' in a medical context versus 'zeiniku' in a casual one. You can read and summarize medical reports that mention 'taishibou-ritsu' and its impact on cardiovascular health. Your vocabulary includes collocations like 'taishibou wo kōritsuyoku otosu' (efficiently drop body fat) or 'taishibou no chikuseki wo fusegu' (prevent the accumulation of body fat). You are also familiar with the marketing language used in 'Tokuko' (FOSHU) products and can critically evaluate the claims made about reducing body fat.

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of 'taishibou' within the broader context of Japanese medical and social discourse. You can read academic papers or complex news reports about the 'Metabo' law and its sociological implications. You understand how 'taishibou' is used in the beauty industry versus the medical industry. You can use the word in complex grammatical structures, such as 'Taishibou no nenshō mekanizumu' (The mechanism of body fat burning). You are comfortable using professional terminology like 'shibou soshiki' (adipose tissue) when 'taishibou' is too general. You can discuss the psychological aspects of body fat obsession in Japan and use 'taishibou' as a starting point for a conversation about societal standards of health and beauty. Your level of nuance allows you to use the term with academic precision or casual irony.

At the C2 level, you possess near-native mastery of 'taishibou' and its related concepts. You can engage in high-level professional discussions in fields like sports science, nutrition, or public health. You understand the historical evolution of the word and how it became a central part of the Japanese health consciousness. You can interpret the subtle connotations of 'taishibou' in literature or high-level journalism. You are able to explain the biochemical processes of lipolysis in Japanese using 'taishibou' as a base term. You can also navigate the most sensitive social situations involving body image with perfect linguistic tact, knowing exactly when to use 'taishibou' and when to use more euphemistic language. Your understanding of the word is not just linguistic, but deeply cultural, medical, and scientific.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

体脂肪 in 30 Seconds

A noun meaning 'body fat,' essential for discussing health and fitness in Japan.
Commonly used with verbs like 'herasu' (reduce) and 'nenshō' (burn).
Measured as 'taishibō-ritsu' (body fat percentage) in medical checkups.
Refers specifically to human fat, not food fat or general oil.

The term 体脂肪 (taishibou) is a compound noun that translates directly to 'body fat.' In a Japanese context, this word carries significant weight not just in medical or biological discussions, but as a ubiquitous part of daily health and beauty conversations. Unlike the English word 'fat,' which can be used as an adjective (e.g., 'he is fat'), taishibou is strictly a noun referring to the adipose tissue within the human body. It is composed of three kanji: 体 (body), 脂 (fat/grease), and 肪 (obese/fat). Together, they specifically denote the stored energy and structural lipids within a living organism. In Japan, maintaining a low body fat percentage is often prioritized over simple weight loss, leading to the frequent use of this term in gyms, clinics, and even on food packaging.

Biological Context: In medical settings, doctors differentiate between 皮下脂肪 (hika shibou - subcutaneous fat) and 内臓脂肪 (naizou shibou - visceral fat). While both are types of taishibou, the latter is often the focus of health warnings regarding metabolic syndrome, a major topic in Japanese healthcare known as 'metabo.'

健康診断の結果、体脂肪率が少し高いと言われました。(Kenkō shindan no kekka, taishibō-ritsu ga sukoshi takai to iwaremashita.) - As a result of my health checkup, I was told my body fat percentage is a bit high.

The cultural obsession with taishibou is fueled by the 'Metabo Law' (Metabolic Syndrome Law) introduced in 2008, which requires companies and local governments to measure the waistlines of employees and citizens aged 40 to 74. If someone exceeds the limit, they are given health guidance to reduce their taishibou. This has made the word a household term, often associated with the phrase taishibou wo herasu (to reduce body fat). You will see it prominently displayed on 'Tokuko' (FOSHU - Food for Specified Health Uses) beverages like green teas or oolong teas that claim to assist in the burning of body fat. For a learner, understanding this word is essential for navigating Japanese fitness culture, reading nutritional labels, or discussing personal health goals with friends or professionals.

Common Compounds: The most common compound is 体脂肪率 (taishibō-ritsu), meaning 'body fat percentage.' You will also see 体脂肪計 (taishibō-kei), which refers to a body fat scale.

このお茶は、体脂肪を減らすのを助ける働きがあります。(Kono ocha wa, taishibō wo herasu no wo tasukeru hataraki ga arimasu.) - This tea has the function of helping to reduce body fat.

Furthermore, taishibou is a neutral term. Unlike the English 'fat,' which can be derogatory, 'taishibou' is a clinical and descriptive word. If you want to say someone is 'fat' in a physical sense, you might use 肥満 (himan - obesity) or the informal 太っている (futotte iru - is fat). However, if you are discussing the actual substance in the body, taishibou is the only appropriate term. This distinction is crucial for maintaining the correct register in conversation.

Using 体脂肪 (taishibou) correctly involves pairing it with specific verbs that describe measurement, accumulation, or reduction. In Japanese grammar, taishibou functions as a standard noun. It is often the object of a sentence (followed by the particle を) or the subject (followed by が or は). To sound natural, you must master the collocations that Japanese speakers use daily.

Action Verbs: 1. 減らす (herasu): To reduce. Used when you are actively trying to lose fat.
2. 落とす (otosu): To drop/lose. Often used in fitness contexts.
3. 測る (hakaru): To measure. Used with scales.
4. つく (tsuku): To gain/accumulate. Used to say fat has 'attached' to the body.

冬の間、運動不足で体脂肪がついてしまった。(Fuyu no aida, undō-busoku de taishibō ga tsuite shimatta.) - During the winter, I gained body fat due to a lack of exercise.

When discussing percentages, the suffix 率 (ritsu) is indispensable. You don't just say 'my body fat is 20%,' you say 'my body fat percentage (体脂肪率) is 20%.' This precision is a hallmark of Japanese health discussions. Additionally, when using 'taishibou' in a sentence about health goals, the structure '〜を目標にする' (to make ~ a goal) is common.

彼は体脂肪を効率よく燃焼させるために、有酸素運動を始めた。(Kare wa taishibō wo kōritsu-yoku nenshō saseru tame ni, yūsanso-undō wo hajimeta.) - He started aerobic exercise to efficiently burn body fat.

In formal writing, such as a medical report or a fitness blog, you might see taishibou used with the verb 蓄積する (chikuseki suru - to accumulate). For example, 'Excess calories accumulate as body fat' (余分なカロリーは体脂肪として蓄積される). This level of vocabulary is common in B1-B2 level Japanese and is essential for reading health-related news articles.

The word 体脂肪 (taishibou) is everywhere in Japanese society. If you turn on the television, you are likely to see a commercial for a 'Healthya' or 'Kuro-Oolong' tea. These commercials often use computer-generated graphics to show taishibou being broken down by the drink's ingredients. The voiceover will emphasize the phrase taishibou ga ki ni naru kata ni (for those concerned about body fat). This is perhaps the most common auditory encounter with the word.

Gyms and Fitness Centers: At a gym (jimmu), the staff will offer to measure your taishibou-ritsu using a specialized machine. They will ask, '体脂肪率を測りましょうか？' (Shall we measure your body fat percentage?). The results will be discussed in terms of 'standard range' (標準範囲) or 'high' (高い).

最近、お腹の体脂肪がなかなか落ちなくて困っているんだ。(Saikin, onaka no taishibō ga nakanaka ochinakute komatte iru n da.) - Lately, I'm having trouble because the body fat on my stomach just won't come off.

In the workplace, during the annual kenkō shindan (health checkup), the word is used in a clinical sense. You might hear a nurse say, '次に体脂肪を測定します' (Next, we will measure your body fat). If you are browsing a convenience store, you will see it on the labels of 'diet' foods. The word has become so normalized that it is even used in casual banter between friends who might be pinching their midsections and complaining about their taishibou levels.

テレビで、体脂肪を減らすための新しいトレーニング方法が紹介されていた。(Terebi de, taishibō wo herasu tame no atarashii torēningu hōhō ga shōkai sarete ita.) - On TV, a new training method to reduce body fat was introduced.

One of the most common mistakes English speakers make when using 体脂肪 (taishibou) is confusing it with the adjective 'fat.' In English, you can say 'I am fat.' In Japanese, you cannot say 'Watashi wa taishibou desu' (I am body fat). This literally means you are a physical mass of adipose tissue. Instead, you must say taishibou ga ooi (I have a lot of body fat) or use the verb futotte iru (to be in a state of having gained weight).

Confusion with 脂肪 (shibou): While taishibou specifically refers to fat in the body, shibou (脂肪) is the general word for fat. If you are talking about the fat on a piece of steak, you should use shibou or abura (脂), never taishibou. Using taishibou for food is a major lexical error.

× この肉は体脂肪が多いですね。(Incorrect: This meat has a lot of 'body fat'.)
○ この肉は脂肪が多いですね。(Correct: This meat has a lot of fat.)

Another mistake is the choice of verbs. English speakers often want to 'lose' fat. While nakusu (to lose/get rid of) is understandable, the more natural Japanese verbs are herasu (reduce) or otosu (drop). Additionally, when measuring fat, use hakaru (測る) specifically for physical measurements, not shiraberu (to investigate), which sounds like you are conducting a scientific study on the nature of fat itself.

× 体脂肪を負ける。(Incorrect: To lose [as in a game] body fat.)
○ 体脂肪を落とす。(Correct: To drop body fat.)

While 体脂肪 (taishibou) is the standard term, there are several related words that you should know to speak more precisely or understand different contexts. The most common alternative is the simplified shibou (脂肪), but others are more specific to medical or casual situations.

Comparisons: 1. 脂肪 (shibou): General 'fat.' Used for both body fat and dietary fat.
2. 内臓脂肪 (naizou shibou): Visceral fat. The fat around organs. This is the 'dangerous' fat often discussed in health news.
3. 皮下脂肪 (hika shibou): Subcutaneous fat. The fat just under the skin that you can pinch.
4. 贅肉 (zeiniku): 'Excess meat' or 'flab.' A more casual, slightly self-deprecating way to refer to extra fat on the body.
5. 脂身 (aburami): The fatty part of meat (food). Never used for humans.

お腹の贅肉が気になって、水着が着られない。(Onaka no zeiniku ga ki ni natte, mizugi ga kirarenai.) - I'm worried about the flab on my stomach, so I can't wear a swimsuit.

When choosing between taishibou and shibou, use taishibou if you want to sound more clinical or precise about body composition. Use zeiniku if you are complaining to a friend about your 'love handles.' Use naizou shibou if you are discussing health risks like high blood pressure or diabetes. Understanding these nuances will help you navigate different social and professional settings in Japan.

健康のためには、内臓脂肪の数値を下げることが重要です。(Kenkō no tame ni wa, naizō shibō no sūchi wo sageru koto ga jūyō desu.) - For the sake of health, it is important to lower your visceral fat levels.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji for fat (脂) contains the 'moon' radical (⽉), which in this case actually represents 'flesh' (niku-zuki), indicating that the word is related to the body.

Pronunciation Guide

UK taɪ.ʃiː.bɔː

US taɪ.ʃi.boʊ

Flat pitch accent (Heiban), meaning the first syllable starts low and the rest stay high.

Rhymes With

Kibou (Hope) Chihou (Region) Shihou (Four sides) Mibou (Unfinished) Kihou (Bubble) Yobou (Prevention) Shibou (Death - different kanji) Saibou (Cell)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'shi' like 'shee' with too much emphasis.
Cutting the final 'ou' sound too short; it should be a long 'o'.
Confusing the pitch accent with 'taishibu' (great division).
Treating 'tai' as two syllables instead of a diphthong.
Adding a stress accent on 'shi' like in English.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Kanji are common but '肪' is slightly more advanced than '体' and '脂'.

Writing 4/5

Writing '肪' correctly requires attention to the radical.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward with long vowels.

Listening 2/5

Commonly heard in media and gyms.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

体 (body) 脂肪 (fat) 体重 (weight) 健康 (health) 運動 (exercise)

Learn Next

筋肉 (muscle) 代謝 (metabolism) 有酸素運動 (aerobic exercise) 内臓 (internal organs) 血糖値 (blood sugar)

Advanced

中性脂肪 (triglycerides) アディポネクチン (adiponectin) 脂質代謝 (lipid metabolism)

Grammar to Know

Noun + を + Verb (Transitive)

体脂肪を減らす (To reduce body fat)

Noun + が + Verb (Intransitive)

体脂肪がつく (Body fat attaches/is gained)

Noun + に + なる

糖分が体脂肪になる (Sugar becomes body fat)

Noun + として + Verb

体脂肪として蓄積される (Stored as body fat)

Noun + の + Noun

体脂肪の燃焼 (Burning of body fat)

Examples by Level

体脂肪を減らしたいです。

I want to reduce body fat.

Uses the ~tai form for desire.

体脂肪は怖いです。

Body fat is scary.

Simple A wa B desu structure.

これは体脂肪の計です。

This is a body fat scale.

Uses the particle 'no' for possession/type.

体脂肪が多いですね。

There is a lot of body fat, isn't there?

Uses 'ooi' (many/much) as an adjective.

体脂肪が気になります。

I am concerned about body fat.

The phrase 'ga ki ni naru' means to be concerned.

体脂肪率は何パーセントですか？

What is the body fat percentage?

Asks for a specific number.

毎日歩いて、体脂肪を落とします。

I walk every day and drop body fat.

Uses the 'te-form' to connect actions.

体脂肪はエネルギーです。

Body fat is energy.

Simple definition sentence.

最近、体脂肪が増えてしまいました。

Lately, my body fat has unfortunately increased.

Uses ~te shimau to show regret.

このお茶は体脂肪を減らします。

This tea reduces body fat.

Direct object with 'herasu'.

体脂肪率を測ってください。

Please measure the body fat percentage.

Polite request with ~te kudasai.

運動不足で体脂肪がつきました。

I gained body fat due to lack of exercise.

Uses 'de' to show cause/reason.

体脂肪を燃やすために走ります。

I run in order to burn body fat.

Uses 'tame ni' to show purpose.

私の体脂肪率は20％です。

My body fat percentage is 20%.

Stating a specific measurement.

甘いものを食べすぎると、体脂肪になります。

If you eat too many sweets, it becomes body fat.

Uses the conditional '~to'.

体脂肪計を買いたいです。

I want to buy a body fat scale.

Compound noun: taishibou + kei.

健康診断で体脂肪率が高いと指摘された。

I was pointed out for having a high body fat percentage at the health checkup.

Passive form 'shiteki sareta'.

有酸素運動は体脂肪の燃焼に効果的だ。

Aerobic exercise is effective for burning body fat.

Uses 'koukateki' (effective).

体脂肪を効率よく落とす方法を知りたい。

I want to know a way to efficiently drop body fat.

Uses 'kouritsuyoku' (efficiently).

年齢とともに、体脂肪がつきやすくなる。

With age, it becomes easier to gain body fat.

Uses the suffix '~yasui' (easy to).

内臓脂肪は体脂肪の一種です。

Visceral fat is a type of body fat.

Explaining a category.

体脂肪を減らす飲み物が人気です。

Drinks that reduce body fat are popular.

Relative clause modifying 'nomimono'.

筋肉を増やして、体脂肪を減らすのが理想だ。

Increasing muscle and decreasing body fat is the ideal.

Uses nominalizer 'no' to make a phrase a subject.

彼は体脂肪率を10％以下に保っている。

He maintains his body fat percentage below 10%.

Uses 'tamotsu' (to maintain).

体脂肪の蓄積を防ぐには、食生活の改善が必要だ。

To prevent the accumulation of body fat, improving dietary habits is necessary.

Uses 'fusegu' (to prevent) and 'kaizen' (improvement).

このサプリメントは体脂肪の分解を助けます。

This supplement helps in the breakdown of body fat.

Uses 'bunkai' (breakdown/decomposition).

過剰な糖分は、体内で体脂肪に作り替えられる。

Excess sugar is converted into body fat within the body.

Passive form 'tsukurikaerareru'.

体脂肪率だけでなく、筋肉量も測定しましょう。

Let's measure not just the body fat percentage, but also muscle mass.

Uses 'dakede naku... mo' (not only... but also).

冬は体温を維持するために体脂肪を蓄えやすい。

In winter, the body tends to store fat to maintain body temperature.

Uses 'iji suru' (to maintain).

体脂肪率の急激な減少は健康に良くない。

A rapid decrease in body fat percentage is not good for health.

Uses 'kyuugeki na' (rapid).

食事制限だけで体脂肪を落とすのは難しい。

It is difficult to drop body fat through diet restriction alone.

Uses 'shokuji seigen' (diet restriction).

体脂肪をエネルギーとして利用する仕組みを学ぶ。

Learn the mechanism of utilizing body fat as energy.

Uses 'shikumi' (mechanism).

体脂肪の過剰な蓄積は、生活習慣病の大きな要因となる。

Excessive accumulation of body fat is a major factor in lifestyle-related diseases.

Formal academic tone.

この研究は、体脂肪と代謝の関係を明らかにしている。

This research clarifies the relationship between body fat and metabolism.

Uses 'akiraka ni suru' (to clarify).

体脂肪率の変動を長期間にわたって記録する。

Record the fluctuations in body fat percentage over a long period.

Uses 'ni watatte' (over/throughout).

皮下脂肪に比べて、内臓脂肪は落としやすいと言われている。

It is said that visceral fat is easier to lose compared to subcutaneous fat.

Uses 'ni kurabete' (compared to).

体脂肪の燃焼効率を高めるためのトレーニング理論。

Training theory to enhance the efficiency of body fat burning.

Uses 'kouritsu wo takameru' (enhance efficiency).

現代社会において、体脂肪の管理は自己管理の一環とされる。

In modern society, managing body fat is considered part of self-management.

Uses 'ikkan to sareru' (is considered a part of).

体脂肪を構成する脂肪細胞の役割を考察する。

Consider the role of adipose cells that constitute body fat.

Uses 'kousatsu suru' (to consider/analyze).

ホルモンバランスの乱れが体脂肪の増加を招くことがある。

Disruption of hormonal balance can lead to an increase in body fat.

Uses 'maneku' (to bring about/lead to).

体脂肪の生理学的機能は、単なるエネルギー貯蔵に留まらない。

The physiological functions of body fat are not limited to mere energy storage.

Uses 'ni todomaranai' (not limited to).

メタボリックシンドロームの診断基準には、体脂肪の分布が重要視される。

In the diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome, the distribution of body fat is emphasized.

Uses 'juuyoushi sareru' (is emphasized).

体脂肪を標的とした創薬研究が、世界中で加速している。

Drug discovery research targeting body fat is accelerating worldwide.

Uses 'hyouteki to shita' (targeted).

遺伝的要因が体脂肪の蓄積に与える影響を多角的に分析する。

Analyze the influence of genetic factors on body fat accumulation from multiple perspectives.

Uses 'takakuteki ni' (multilaterally).

体脂肪率の低減がアスリートのパフォーマンス向上に寄与する。

The reduction of body fat percentage contributes to the improvement of athlete performance.

Uses 'kiyo suru' (to contribute).

社会経済的地位と体脂肪率の相関関係について論じる。

Discuss the correlation between socioeconomic status and body fat percentage.

Uses 'soukan kankei' (correlation).

脂肪組織から分泌されるアディポカインが、体脂肪の代謝を調節する。

Adipokines secreted from adipose tissue regulate the metabolism of body fat.

Uses 'chousetsu suru' (to regulate).

体脂肪の蓄積に対するインスリン抵抗性の関与を検証する。

Verify the involvement of insulin resistance in the accumulation of body fat.

Uses 'kenshou suru' (to verify).

Common Collocations

体脂肪を減らす

体脂肪を燃焼する

体脂肪率を測る

体脂肪がつく

体脂肪を落とす

体脂肪を蓄積する

体脂肪が高い

体脂肪計

体脂肪を分解する

体脂肪を絞る

Common Phrases

体脂肪が気になる

— To be worried or concerned about one's body fat. Very common in ads.

体脂肪が気になる方におすすめです。

体脂肪を減らすのを助ける

— Helps to reduce body fat. Standard phrase for healthy food claims.

この飲料は体脂肪を減らすのを助けます。

体脂肪率を1桁にする

— To bring body fat percentage down to a single digit. Common goal for athletes.

彼は体脂肪率を1桁まで絞り込んだ。

体脂肪が落ちにくい

— Body fat is hard to lose. Used when complaining about age or metabolism.

30代を過ぎると体脂肪が落ちにくい。

体脂肪をエネルギーに変える

— To convert body fat into energy. Used in fitness and biology.

効率的に体脂肪をエネルギーに変える。

体脂肪の燃焼効率

— Fat burning efficiency. A common term in workout guides.

有酸素運動は体脂肪の燃焼効率が良い。

体脂肪率の標準範囲

— The standard/healthy range for body fat percentage.

体脂肪率の標準範囲を確認する。

体脂肪を溜め込む

— To store up body fat. Often used to describe unhealthy habits.

夜食は体脂肪を溜め込む原因になる。

体脂肪が目立つ

— Body fat is noticeable. Used when someone feels they look fat.

薄着になると体脂肪が目立つ。

体脂肪を削る

— To 'shave off' or cut body fat. Used by serious gym-goers.

大会前に体脂肪を極限まで削る。

Often Confused With

体脂肪 vs 体重 (taijuu)

Weight. You can lose weight but gain body fat (muscle loss).

体脂肪 vs 脂 (abura)

Grease/Fat in food. Use 'shibou' or 'abura' for food, not 'taishibou'.

体脂肪 vs 脂肪 (shibou)

General fat. 'Taishibou' is specifically for the human body.

Idioms & Expressions

"脂肪が乗る"

— To become fatty or prime (used for fish/meat, occasionally humans).

この時期のマグロは脂肪が乗っている。

Neutral

"贅肉を削ぎ落とす"

— To strip away excess fat (metaphorically, to make something lean/efficient).

組織の贅肉を削ぎ落とす。

Formal

"脂が乗る"

— To be at the peak of one's ability or career (metaphor from fatty fish).

彼は今、仕事に脂が乗っている。

Idiomatic

"腹の皮が突っ張る"

— To be extremely full (fat stomach stretching).

食べすぎて腹の皮が突っ張るよ。

Informal

"身を削る"

— To wear oneself out (literally 'shaving one's body/fat').

身を削って働く。

Neutral

"肥満の元"

— The source of obesity/fat.

寝る前のラーメンは肥満の元だ。

Neutral

"メタボ予備軍"

— The 'Metabo Army' - people at risk of metabolic syndrome.

自分もそろそろメタボ予備軍かもしれない。

Casual

"お腹周りが気になる"

— Concerned about the area around the stomach (euphemism for fat).

最近、お腹周りが気になってきた。

Casual

"三段腹"

— Three-tiered stomach (rolls of fat).

座ると三段腹になるのが悩みだ。

Informal

"太っ腹"

— Generous (literally 'fat stomach').

社長は太っ腹だから、奢ってくれるよ。

Informal

Easily Confused

体脂肪 vs 死亡 (shibou)

Homophone (same sound).

Written with different kanji (死 - death vs 脂 - fat). Context usually makes it clear.

死亡原因 (Cause of death) vs 脂肪燃焼 (Fat burning).

体脂肪 vs 私房 (shibou)

Same sound.

Rare word meaning 'private room' or 'private funds'. Almost never used in daily life.

N/A

体脂肪 vs 志望 (shibou)

Similar sound (long 'o').

Means 'desire' or 'ambition' (e.g., first choice school).

第一志望の大学 (First choice university).

体脂肪 vs 脂肪 (shibou)

Contained within 'taishibou'.

General term for fat. Taishibou is specifically the body's fat.

肉の脂肪 (Fat of meat).

体脂肪 vs 肥満 (himan)

Related concept.

Himan is the medical condition of being overweight; taishibou is the substance.

肥満の解消 (Resolving obesity).

Sentence Patterns

[Noun] を減らしたいです。

体脂肪を減らしたいです。

[Noun] が気になります。

体脂肪が気になります。

[Noun] を燃焼させるために、[Verb]。

体脂肪を燃焼させるために、走ります。

[Noun] が蓄積される原因は [Noun] です。

体脂肪が蓄積される原因は食べ過ぎです。

[Noun] の管理は [Noun] において重要だ。

体脂肪の管理は健康維持において重要だ。

[Noun] の分布と [Noun] の相関関係。

体脂肪の分布と生活習慣病の相関関係。

[Noun] を測ってください。

体脂肪率を測ってください。

[Noun] がつきやすいです。

体脂肪がつきやすいです。

Word Family

Nouns

脂肪 (fat)

体脂肪率 (body fat %)

体脂肪計 (fat scale)

内臓脂肪 (visceral fat)

皮下脂肪 (subcutaneous fat)

Verbs

太る (to get fat)

肥える (to become fertile/fat)

脂肪化する (to turn into fat)

Adjectives

脂肪の多い (fatty)

肥満の (obese)

体重 (weight)

健康 (health)

燃焼 (burning)

蓄積 (accumulation)

代謝 (metabolism)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely frequent in health, fitness, and advertising domains.

Common Mistakes

Using 体脂肪 for cooking oil. → 食用油 (shokuyou abura)
Taishibou is strictly for the body's fat tissue.
Saying 体脂肪を負ける for losing fat. → 体脂肪を落とす/減らす
Makeru means to lose a game. Use otosu or herasu for weight/fat.
Confusing 脂肪 with 死亡. → Context and Kanji
Shibou (death) and Shibou (fat) sound the same. Pay attention to the topic.
Saying 私は体脂肪です。 → 体脂肪が多いです。
You cannot 'be' fat the substance; you have fat on your body.
Writing 脂 as 油. → 体脂肪 (with 脂)
脂 is for animal/body fat. 油 is for vegetable/mineral oil.

Tips

The Metabo Law

Japan has a law requiring waistline measurements for people over 40. This makes 'taishibou' a very common topic in the workplace.

Avoid 'I am fat'

Never say 'Watashi wa taishibou desu.' Say 'Taishibou ga ooi desu' or 'Futotte imasu' instead.

The 'Moon' Radical

The ⽉ in 脂 is actually 'niku' (flesh). Knowing this helps you remember that it refers to biological fat.

Percentage Matters

In Japan, people care more about their 'taishibou-ritsu' (percentage) than their actual weight in kilograms.

Compound Nouns

Japanese loves compounding. 'Taishibou' + 'kei' (scale) = 'Taishibou-kei'. This is a very common pattern.

Internal vs External

Distinguish between 'naizou shibou' (internal/visceral) and 'hika shibou' (external/subcutaneous) for better precision.

Look for the Logo

Look for a person-shaped logo (Tokuko) on drinks; they will almost always mention 'taishibou' on the label.

The Long 'O'

Make sure to pronounce the 'ou' in 'shibou' as a long 'o'. If you say 'shibo', it might sound like 'squeeze' (shiboru).

Tai-Shi-Bou

Think of 'Tie-She-Bold'. A woman wearing a tie who is bold about her health.

Gym Talk

In gyms, you will hear 'sokutei' (measurement) instead of 'hakaru'. They mean the same thing in context.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Tie' (Tai) around a 'She' (Shi) who is 'Bold' (Bou) about her body fat. Tai-Shi-Bou.

Visual Association

Imagine a digital scale showing a yellow blob of fat with the label 体脂肪 written on it.

Word Web

Health Gym Metabolism Diet Scale Visceral Subcutaneous Percentage

Challenge

Try to find the word 体脂肪 on three different products in a Japanese grocery store or online shop.

Word Origin

Formed from Sino-Japanese (Kango) roots. 'Tai' (体) means body, 'Shi' (脂) means animal fat or grease, and 'Bou' (肪) means fat or obesity. These roots have been used for centuries but the specific compound 'taishibou' gained prominence in modern medical and health contexts.

Original meaning: The fat within the body.

Japonic (Sino-Japanese vocabulary).

Cultural Context

While 'taishibou' is a clinical term, avoid commenting on someone's 'taishibou' unless you are close friends or a medical professional.

In English, 'body fat' sounds clinical. In Japanese, 'taishibou' is used both clinically and in very casual ads.

Metabo Law (2008) Healthya Green Tea commercials Tanita Body Fat Scales

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Gym/Fitness

体脂肪を落とす
体脂肪率を測る
燃焼効率
筋肉量を増やす

Medical/Hospital

健康診断の結果
内臓脂肪の蓄積
生活習慣病
メタボリックシンドローム

Shopping/Grocery

体脂肪を減らすお茶
トクホの飲料
低カロリー
脂肪ゼロ

Casual Conversation

最近太った
体脂肪が気になる
ダイエット中
贅肉がついた

Television/Ads

体脂肪が気になる方に
分解・燃焼を助ける
話題の健康法
驚きの結果

Conversation Starters

"最近、体脂肪率を測ったことがありますか？ (Have you measured your body fat percentage lately?)"

"体脂肪を減らすために、何か特別なことをしていますか？ (Are you doing anything special to reduce body fat?)"

"このお茶、体脂肪を減らす効果があるらしいですよ。 (I heard this tea has an effect on reducing body fat.)"

"冬になると体脂肪がつきやすくなりませんか？ (Don't you find it easier to gain body fat in winter?)"

"理想の体脂肪率はどのくらいだと思いますか？ (What do you think is an ideal body fat percentage?)"

Journal Prompts

今日の体脂肪率と、これからの健康目標について書いてください。 (Write about today's body fat percentage and your future health goals.)

体脂肪を減らすために、どのような食事や運動が必要だと思いますか？ (What kind of diet and exercise do you think are necessary to reduce body fat?)

日本の「メタボ」文化についてどう思いますか？ (What do you think about Japan's 'metabo' culture?)

体脂肪計の結果を見て、どう感じましたか？ (How did you feel when you saw the results of the body fat scale?)

健康のために体脂肪を管理することの大切さを説明してください。 (Explain the importance of managing body fat for health.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you should use 'shibou' (脂肪) or 'aburami' (脂身) for meat you eat. 'Taishibou' is only for the fat inside a living body.

For men, 10-20% is generally considered healthy. For women, 20-30% is standard. It varies by age and fitness level.

You say 'taishibou wo nenshou saseru' (体脂肪を燃焼させる) or more casually 'taishibou wo moyasu' (体脂肪を燃やす).

No, it is a clinical and neutral noun. However, pointing out someone else's 'taishibou' can be sensitive.

'Taishibou' is the medical/scientific term. 'Zeiniku' is a casual, negative term for 'flab' or 'extra weight'.

Yes. 脂 (shi/abura) is animal fat (solid), and 油 (yu/abura) is plant/mineral oil (liquid).

It is short for 'metabolic syndrome.' In Japan, it specifically refers to having too much visceral fat (naizou shibou).

You can ask 'Taishibou-ritsu wa nan-paasento desu ka?' but only in a gym or medical setting.

It's likely a FOSHU (Tokuko) drink that contains ingredients like catechins or caffeine that claim to help burn body fat.

No, it is only a noun. You must use it with verbs like 'herasu' or 'nenshou suru'.