肉体

When talking about the human body in Japanese, you'll often encounter a few different words, and it's good to know the nuances between them. One common word is 体 (karada), which is a very general term for the body, much like how we use "body" in English for everything from a person's body to a body of water. Then there's 身体 (shintai), which also means body but often carries a slightly more formal or medical connotation.

Now, let's look at 肉体 (nikutai). This word specifically emphasizes the physical, tangible aspect of the human body—the flesh and bones, what can be seen and touched. It often highlights the contrast between the physical and the spiritual or mental. For example, if you're discussing the physical demands of a sport, 肉体 would be a very fitting word to use.