肉体（にくたい、nikutai）
- body/flesh

The Japanese word 肉体, pronounced にくたい (nikutai), primarily refers to the physical body, the corporeal form, or the flesh and blood of a human being or an animal. It emphasizes the tangible and material aspect of existence, contrasting with the mind, spirit, or soul. It encapsulates the physical structure, including muscles, bones, organs, and all the physical components that make up a living organism. 肉体 can also imply the physical capabilities and attributes of the body, such as strength, health, and appearance.

⚫︎ 彼の肉体は訓練によって鍛えられた。 Translation: His body was honed through training. ⚫︎ 彼女は病気で肉体が弱っている。 Translation: Her body is weak due to illness. ⚫︎ 芸術家は肉体美を追求した。 Translation: The artist pursued physical beauty.

You can use 肉体 in various contexts when discussing the physical aspects of a person or animal. It's suitable when talking about health, fitness, appearance, physical capabilities, or even the body's vulnerabilities. It's often used in formal or literary contexts, but it's not overly formal and is generally understood. It is frequently used to discuss things like aging, injuries, or the impact of external forces on the body.

肉体 is written using the kanji 肉 (niku), meaning "flesh" or "meat," and 体 (tai), meaning "body." The reading is usually にくたい in hiragana. There are no other common ways to write this word. The okurigana is standard.

⚫︎ 身体 (shintai): This is a more general term for "body" and can be used interchangeably with 肉体 in many situations, but it's often seen as less specific. ⚫︎ からだ (karada): This is the most common and general term for "body." It is more casual. ⚫︎ 躯 (karada): This term is relatively less common than the others, having a literary nuance.

⚫︎ 精神 (seishin): Spirit, mind. The opposite of the physical body. ⚫︎ 魂 (tamashii): Soul, spirit. Relates to the non-physical part of a person.

彼は過酷なトレーニングで肉体を限界まで追い込んだ。 ・Translation: He pushed his body to its limits with grueling training. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the physical effort and the body's response to intense training.

老いるにつれて、肉体の衰えを感じる。 ・Translation: As I get older, I feel the decline of my physical body. ・Explanation: This sentence discusses the physical changes that occur with aging.

The word 肉体 is a compound word formed from the kanji 肉 (niku), which originally referred to "flesh" or "meat," and 体 (tai), meaning "body." The combination reflects the understanding of the physical body as a material entity, composed of flesh and form.