How to say "gymnastics" in Japanese

• 体操たいそうJLPT N2approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe common, general word: gymnastics as a sport or activity, and physical exercises more broadly. For the ordinary sense of 'gymnastics', this is the word you want.
  朝あさ食前しょくぜんにいつも体操たいそうをします。↗

  I always take some exercise before breakfast.
• ジムナスティックス
  nounA katakana borrowing of the English word itself. It is less common, and for ordinary uses of 'gymnastics' it is seldom the word you want — 体操 covers those.
• 器械運動きかいうんどう
  nounA less common term for gymnastics with apparatus — exercise using gymnastics equipment, especially at school. Use it for the equipment-based sense rather than gymnastics in general.
  彼かれは器械きかい運動うんどうが得意とくいだ。↗

  He is good at gymnastics.

Use 体操 for gymnastics in general and physical exercises, 器械運動 for apparatus work especially at school, and treat 「ジムナスティックス」 as a less common borrowing that is seldom the word you want.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 体操たいそうgymnastics
• ジムナスティックスgymnastics
• 器械運動きかいうんどうapparatus gymnastics