体形 (tǐ xíng) — bodily form, build | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

体形 refers to the overall shape and proportions of a person's body — their build. Compare 身材, which focuses more on height and overall figure.

noun

bodily formbuild

Examples

体形。
Tā de tǐ xíng hěn yún chèn.
His body shape is well-proportioned.
体形。
Cháng qī duàn liàn kě yǐ gǎi shàn tǐ xíng.
Long-term exercise can improve your body shape.
体形。
Zhè jiàn yī fu bú shì hé wǒ de tǐ xíng.
This clothing doesn't suit my body shape.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

体 names the body and 形 names shape, giving bodily form or build.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 體; 体 is its simplified writing.

骨豊體

Meaning part形符xíngfú

骨骨gǔbone

Sound part声符shēngfú

豊

豊lǐ體tǐ

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 體 pairs 骨 (bone) with 豊 as a sound part; this note is about 體, not about the parts of 体.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

彡彡shān

Sound part声符shēngfú

井

井jǐng形xíng

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

形 is made from 彡 and 井, with 井 providing the sound.

Appears in

Appearance Body Parts

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