The word 气质 is formed by combining two fundamental philosophical concepts from classical Chinese thought: 气 (qì), representing the vital energy or ethereal force that animates all things, and 质 (zhì), meaning the innate substance, material, or enduring nature of an entity. Together, they create a holistic concept where one's external presence and demeanor (the flow and quality of their 气) are seen as a direct, visible manifestation of their internal, inherent constitution and character (their 质). It embodies the idea that a person's spirit and physical bearing are inseparable from their core substance, forming a single integrated impression of their personal quality.