Translation guide
The English word 'healthy' can refer to a person's physical condition, a lifestyle or habit, a food or diet, or even a figurative sense of something being robust. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each of these uses.
Describing a person or animal that is not sick and is in good physical condition.
The most common and versatile word for 'healthy' in the sense of being energetic and well. Often used in greetings and everyday conversation.
おかげさまで、元気です。
I'm healthy, thank you.
彼はとても元気な子供だ。
He is a very healthy child.
Refers to health in a more formal or medical sense. Often used in written contexts or when discussing health conditions.
健康に気をつけてください。
Please take care of your health.
彼は健康そのものだ。
He is the picture of health.
Literally 'physical condition is good'. Used to describe how one feels physically at a particular moment.
今日は体調がいい。
I feel healthy today.
Describing a habit, activity, or lifestyle that promotes good health.
The standard adjective for 'healthy' when describing something that is good for your health, like a diet or lifestyle.
健康的な生活を送りたい。
I want to lead a healthy lifestyle.
毎日歩くのは健康的だ。
Walking every day is healthy.
Literally 'good for the body'. A very common, casual way to say something is healthy.
野菜は体にいい。
Vegetables are healthy.
A slightly more formal version of '体にいい', often used in writing or product descriptions.
このお茶は健康に良い。
This tea is healthy.
Describing food or a diet that is nutritious and good for one's health.
A loanword from English, very common in everyday speech, especially among younger people and in food contexts.
ヘルシーな料理を作った。
I made a healthy dish.
The standard phrase for a 'healthy diet' or 'healthy meal'.
健康的な食事を心がけている。
I try to eat healthy meals.
Means 'nutritious'. Often used to emphasize the nutritional value of food.
このスープは栄養がある。
This soup is healthy (nutritious).
Describing something non-living that is strong, successful, or functioning well.
Means 'sound' or 'healthy' in a figurative sense, often used for organizations, finances, or mental states.
会社の経営は健全だ。
The company's management is healthy.
健全な精神。
A healthy mind.
Means 'favorable' or 'doing well', often used for business performance or economic conditions.
While 健康 means health, saying 健康な食べ物 is not natural. Use 健康的な食べ物 or 体にいい食べ物 instead.
元気 implies energy and vitality, often used in daily greetings (お元気ですか). 健康 is more about the absence of illness and is used in formal or medical contexts.
経済は好調だ。
The economy is healthy.