The word 身份 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a core concept to create an abstract meaning. 身 means "body" or "person", referring to the concrete self. 份 means "portion" or "share", denoting one's part within a larger context or system. Together, they metaphorically express the idea of "the portion of personhood one holds in society", evolving from a literal sense of one's share (as in status or allotment) to the modern concept of one's identity or social standing.