The word 身体 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a core meaning related to the human form. The first character, 身, primarily signifies the physical trunk or torso of a body. The second character, 体, originally denoted the limbs or the general substance and form of something. When joined, they create a compound that conceptually merges these aspects, encompassing the entire physical structure of a person from the core torso to the extending limbs, thus forming the complete idea of the "body" as a whole entity.