what's the difference between 体 and 肉体?


Can 体 (karada) and 肉体 (nikutai) be used interchangeably or is there a
difference?




I would not use the two words interchangeably. If you are unsure of the
correct context, it might be better to default to 体{からだ}.

体 is a noun used generally to describe the body as an object. Using 体 is a lot
more common in everyday usage.

肉体{にくたい} also means body but referring to the underlying flesh/blood/bones in
a more vivid way.

肉体労働{にくたいろうどう}をする。 "To do manual/physical labor" is a phrase where 肉体 might be
commonly used.

肉体関係{にくたいかんけい} means "physical or sexual relationship."




I would not use the two words interchangeably. If you are unsure of the
correct context, it might be better to default to 体{からだ}.

体 is a noun used generally to describe the body as an object. Using 体 is a lot
more common in everyday usage.

肉体{にくたい} also means body but referring to the underlying flesh/blood/bones in
a more vivid way.

肉体労働{にくたいろうどう}をする。 "To do manual/physical labor" is a phrase where 肉体 might be
commonly used.

肉体関係{にくたいかんけい} means "physical or sexual relationship."

