Lesson 2: Health & Fitness
Thematic & Topical Vocabulary (B1)
Staying active and eating well are important parts of a happy life. How do we talk about these topics in English? This lesson will teach you the essential vocabulary for discussing health1 and fitness2.
Core Concepts
| 🏋️ Exercise3 | លំហាត់ប្រាណ | Physical activity done to improve health. Example: "Running is good exercise." |
| 🥗 Diet4 | របបអាហារ | The kinds of food that a person usually eats. Example: "A healthy diet includes lots of fruit and vegetables." |
| 💪 Muscle5 | សាច់ដុំ | The tissue in your body that you use to move. Example: "Lifting weights builds muscle." |
| 🤸 to stretch6 | ពត់ខ្លួន | To extend your arms, legs, or body. Example: "It's important to stretch before you exercise." |
| 😥 Sore7 | ឈឺ | Feeling pain or tenderness in a part of the body. Example: "My legs are sore after running." |
Usage Note: 'Fit' vs. 'Healthy'
These two words are similar but have a small difference.
- Healthy: This refers to your general well-being. It means you are not sick and you have a good diet.
Example: "Eating vegetables keeps you healthy." - Fit: This specifically refers to your physical strength and ability to do exercise.
Example: "He can run 10km. He is very fit." - You can be healthy without being very fit, but it is difficult to be fit if you are not healthy!
In Conversation
Alex and Bora are talking after a workout session at the gym.
Alex: Wow, that was a good workout! I'm going to have big muscles soon.
Bora: Me too! But my arms are already feeling sore. I need to stretch properly.
Alex: Good idea. Being fit is important, but being healthy is more important. What do you usually eat after your exercise?
Bora: My diet is quite simple. I usually have some grilled chicken and rice.
Alex: That sounds perfect for recovery. Let's go get some food!
quiz Check Your Understanding
1. What is the name for the food that a person usually eats?
- a) Exercise
- b) Diet
- c) Muscle
Click to see the answer
Answer: b) Diet
2. If your legs hurt after running a long distance, you can say they feel ______.
- a) fit
- b) healthy
- c) sore
Click to see the answer
Answer: c) sore
3. What should you do before you begin to exercise?
- a) Stretch
- b) Book
- c) Pack
Click to see the answer
Answer: a) Stretch
edit Your Mission
- My Fitness: Write two sentences about your own fitness habits. (e.g., "I like to exercise three times a week. My favorite way to stay fit is...")
- Healthy Foods: Make a list of five healthy foods that are part of your diet.
- Speak: Your mission is to ask a friend, "What kind of exercise do you like to do?"
book Lesson Glossary
- Health (noun) - Khmer: សុខភាព - The condition of the body and the degree to which it is free from illness. ↩
- Fitness (noun) - Khmer: កាយសម្បទា - The condition of being physically strong and healthy. ↩
- Exercise (noun) - Khmer: លំហាត់ប្រាណ - Physical activity that you do to make your body strong and healthy. ↩
- Diet (noun) - Khmer: របបអាហារ - The food and drink usually eaten or drunk by a person. ↩
- Muscle (noun) - Khmer: សាច់ដុំ - Tissue in the body that can be tightened or relaxed to produce movement. ↩
- to stretch (verb) - Khmer: ពត់ខ្លួន - To straighten your body or a part of it to its full length. ↩
- Sore (adjective) - Khmer: ឈឺ - Painful and tender, usually because of infection or too much exercise. ↩