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体质 (tǐ zhì) — physical constitution; health condition; physique

Definition

体质 refers specifically to one's underlying health constitution — how strong or weak the body is, not outward appearance. Contrast with 体态 (figure/posture) and 身躯 (general body); 体魄 overlaps but emphasizes vigor and strength.

noun
physical constitutionhealth conditionphysique
Easily confused

Examples

  • 体质，体质。
    Měi gè rén de tǐ zhì dōu bù yí yàng, duàn liàn kě yǐ gǎi shàn tǐ zhì.
    Everyone's constitution is different; exercise can improve it.
  • 体质，。
    Tā tǐ zhì bǐ jiào ruò, dōng tiān róng yì gǎn mào.
    Her constitution is relatively weak, so she catches colds easily in winter.
  • 体质。
    Zhōng yī rèn wéi tǐ zhì yǔ yǐn shí hé qíng xù mì qiè xiāng guān.
    Traditional Chinese medicine believes that constitution is closely related to diet and emotions.

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tǐbody
质zhìquality

体 refers to the body, 质 to quality; together they mean physical constitution or health condition.

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.

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.

Open 体 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 質; 质 is its simplified writing.

  • 斦斦yín
  • 貝貝bèi

The traditional form 質 is made up of 貝 and 斦; this describes 質, not the simplified 质.

Open 质 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Fitness & Exercise

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.