Translation guide
The English phrase 'warming up' can refer to preparing the body for exercise, preparing for an activity or performance, or the process of something becoming warmer. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
To prepare the body for physical activity through light exercise or stretching.
The most common and direct equivalent, a loanword from English. Used in sports and fitness contexts.
運動の前にウォーミングアップをしましょう。
Let's warm up before exercising.
Literally 'preparatory exercise'. A native Japanese term often used in school or formal settings.
体育の授業では、最初に準備運動をします。
In PE class, we do warm-up exercises first.
A shorter loanword variant, also common.
ランニングの前にウォームアップを忘れずに。
Don't forget to warm up before running.
To prepare one's voice, fingers, or mind for a performance or task.
The same loanword is used for non-physical warm-ups, such as vocal or instrumental practice.
歌手はステージ前に声のウォーミングアップをする。
Singers warm up their voices before going on stage.
To describe something increasing in temperature.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to become warm'. Used for objects, rooms, or the body.
部屋がだんだん暖まってきた。
The room is gradually warming up.
Same reading, but this kanji is often used for liquids or food becoming warm.
Transitive verb meaning 'to warm something up'. Use when someone actively heats something.
To let an engine or device reach operating temperature.
Technical term for 'warming up an engine', often used for cars.
寒い朝は暖機運転が必要です。
On cold mornings, warming up the engine is necessary.
Also used for engines or electronics in casual contexts.
車のウォームアップに5分かかる。
It takes five minutes for the car to warm up.
暖まる (atatamaru) is used for air temperature, rooms, or the body feeling warm. 温まる (atatamaru) is used for objects, liquids, or food becoming warm. In many cases they are interchangeable, but the kanji choice adds nuance.
暖める (atatameru) and 温める (atatameru) mean 'to heat something up', not to do warm-up exercises. Use ウォーミングアップ or 準備運動 for exercise warm-ups.
Can be used metaphorically for any preparatory activity, though it leans physical.
本番前の準備運動として、簡単な練習をしよう。
Let's do some simple practice as a warm-up before the real thing.
スープが温まったら火を止めてください。
Turn off the heat once the soup has warmed up.
手をこすって暖めた。
I warmed up my hands by rubbing them together.