Translation guide
The chemical processes in the body that convert food into energy and building blocks. In Japanese, the most common term is 代謝 (たいしゃ), often used in compounds like 新陳代謝 (しんちんたいしゃ) for general metabolism, and 基礎代謝 (きそたいしゃ) for basal metabolism.
The overall set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms, especially the breakdown of food and its transformation into energy.
The standard scientific and everyday term for metabolism. Often used in compounds.
代謝が落ちると太りやすくなる。
When your metabolism slows down, you gain weight more easily.
運動は代謝を促進する。
Exercise boosts metabolism.
Literally 'new-old metabolism', this is a common term for metabolism in the context of renewal and turnover of cells and tissues. Often used in health and beauty contexts.
新陳代謝が活発だと肌がきれいになる。
When metabolism is active, your skin becomes beautiful.
Basal metabolic rate (BMR), the amount of energy expended while at rest. Common in diet and fitness contexts.
基礎代謝を上げるには筋肉をつけることが大切です。
To increase your basal metabolism, it's important to build muscle.
Referring to how fast or slow the body's metabolism is, often in the context of weight management.
Common expressions meaning 'to have a fast/slow metabolism'. 代謝がいい means you burn calories easily; 代謝が悪い means you tend to gain weight.
彼女は代謝がいいから、たくさん食べても太らない。
She has a fast metabolism, so she doesn't gain weight even if she eats a lot.
年をとると代謝が悪くなる。
As you get older, your metabolism slows down.
Literally 'metabolism is high/low', used similarly to 代謝がいい/悪い but slightly more technical.
代謝が高い人は痩せやすい。
People with a high metabolism tend to lose weight easily.
Metabolism of substances within the body, such as drugs or specific chemicals.
Also used in pharmacology and biochemistry for the breakdown of substances. Often combined with the substance name.
この薬は肝臓で代謝される。
This drug is metabolized in the liver.
In casual conversation about weight or health, 代謝 is perfectly natural. You can say 代謝がいいね (You have a fast metabolism) or 代謝を上げたい (I want to boost my metabolism).
代謝 is the broader term for all metabolic processes. 新陳代謝 specifically emphasizes the turnover and renewal aspect, often used in beauty and anti-aging contexts. For most everyday situations, 代謝 is sufficient.
私は代謝が悪いです。
I have a slow metabolism.
運動で代謝を上げることができます。
Exercise can increase your metabolism.
Material metabolism, a more technical term used in biology and chemistry.
物質代謝の異常が病気を引き起こすことがある。
Abnormalities in material metabolism can cause diseases.