Yuka腹筋 (ふっきん) — you've probably heard this word in fitness videos or at the gym. It literally means “abdominal muscles” (abs), but it's also the name of the classic sit-up exercise. Let's learn it!
Rei腹筋 is a great word because it works in both fitness and body vocabulary contexts. Plus, it shows up in everyday Japanese conversation more than you'd expect!
At a Glance
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Word | 腹筋 (ふっきん) |
| Meaning | Abdominal muscles (abs); also: sit-up / crunch (exercise) |
| Kanji | 腹 (hara) = abdomen/belly + 筋 (suji/kin) = muscle/sinew |
| Usage | Fitness, body vocabulary, everyday speech |
What Does 腹筋 Mean?
腹筋 (ふっきん) has two related meanings in Japanese:
- Abdominal muscles / abs — the physical muscles of the abdomen
- Sit-up / crunch — the exercise targeting those muscles
This double meaning is completely natural in Japanese — just like saying “I'm working my abs” or “doing abs” in English.
Yuka毎朝腹筋を50回やっている。
I do 50 sit-ups every morning.
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| 腹筋が割れている。 | They have a six-pack. (lit. their abs are split) |
| 腹筋運動をする。 | To do abdominal exercises / do sit-ups. |
| 腹筋が痛い。 | My abs are sore. |
| 腹筋を鍛えたい。 | I want to strengthen my abs. |
| 腹筋バキバキだね！ | Your abs are rock solid! |
腹筋 in Exercise Context
In fitness contexts, 腹筋 is the standard term for sit-ups or crunches. You'll hear it in:
- 体育の授業 (gym class): 腹筋30回！— 30 sit-ups!
- Fitness videos: 腹筋10回 × 3セット — 3 sets of 10 crunches
- Personal trainers: 腹筋を意識して — focus on your abs
Related Body and Fitness Vocabulary
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 腹筋 | ふっきん | Abs / sit-ups |
| 背筋 | はいきん / せすじ | Back muscles / back extension exercise |
| 腕立て伏せ | うでたてふせ | Push-up |
| スクワット | スクワット | Squat |
| 体幹 | たいかん | Core (body core muscles) |
| 筋トレ | きんトレ | Strength training / muscle training |
Rei腹筋が割れる literally means “abs split” — it describes a six-pack. 腹筋バキバキ is even more emphatic slang for rock-hard abs. You'll hear both in fitness discussions and social media.
Funny Usage: 腹筋崩壊
腹筋崩壊 (ふっきんほうかい) is a popular internet phrase meaning something is so funny that “your abs collapse” — basically, it's so hilarious your sides hurt from laughing!
- 腹筋崩壊注意 — Warning: extremely funny content ahead
- これ腹筋崩壊する — This is absolutely hilarious
Quick Quiz
Fill in the blank with the right word:
- 毎日___を100回やると割れてくる。→ 腹筋
- ___崩壊するくらい面白い動画だ。→ 腹筋
- 彼は___がバキバキで羨ましい。→ 腹筋
More Japanese Lessons
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