Definitions

(noun) body; form
(noun) system; style
(verb) to experience

Etymology

Simplified form of . The foundation () of a person () is their body ().

About

The character for "body" in Chinese, historically represented by the traditional form "體", combines the radical for bone with a component that originally functioned as a phonetic indicator, linking the concept to physical substance and anatomical structure. Its semantic range gradually narrowed from broader notions of form and embodiment to specifically denote the physical body of living beings, while also maintaining usage in derived terms referring to style or essence. The simplified character "体" structurally departs from this by incorporating the radicals for person and origin, creating a more intuitive composition that highlights the human body as fundamental, yet this modern form continues to convey the same primary meanings associated with its predecessor. This linguistic development illustrates how the character's visual representation has been reshaped to align with functional and conceptual priorities over time.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我的身很好。

Wǒ de shēntǐ hěn hǎo.

My body is very good.

育课很有趣。

Tǐyù kè hěn yǒuqù.

Physical education class is very interesting.

我们验了农村生活。

Wǒmen tǐyàn le nóngcūn shēnghuó.

We experienced rural life.

来说,这个计划不错。

Zhěngtǐ lái shuō, zhège jìhuà bùcuò.

Overall, this plan is not bad.

差异需要被尊重。

Gètǐ chāyì xūyào bèi zūnzhòng.

Individual differences need to be respected.

他的质比较弱,容易生病。

Tā de tǐzhì bǐjiào ruò, róngyì shēngbìng.

His constitution is relatively weak, and he gets sick easily.

在团队中,我们要现合作精神。

Zài tuánduì zhōng, wǒmen yào tǐxiàn hézuò jīngshén.

In a team, we should demonstrate a cooperative spirit.

通过育锻炼,可以改善身健康。

Tōngguò tǐyù duànliàn, kěyǐ gǎishàn shēntǐ jiànkāng.

Through physical exercise, one can improve physical health.