The word 出身 is a compound formed by combining the verb 出 (chū, meaning "to come out of" or "to emerge from") with the noun 身 (shēn, meaning "body", "oneself", or "personal identity"). Conceptually, it metaphorically extends the idea of "emerging from one's body" or "originating from oneself" to signify one's origin, background, or social starting point in life, such as family lineage, class status, or early professional training. Thus, its formation encapsulates the abstract notion of one's foundational identity or the circumstances from which one's life and career begin.