TongTong
Sign in

身分 (shēn fèn) — identity, status, capacity

Definition

身分 and 身份 are the same word (身分 is a less common variant spelling); both mean 'identity / status / capacity'. Use 身分 mainly in set phrases like 身分证 (ID card).

noun
identitystatuscapacity
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 身分。
    Tā yǐn mán le zì jǐ de zhēn shí shēn fèn.
    He concealed his true identity.
  • 身分。
    Tā yǐ zhuān jiā de shēn fèn chū xí le huì yì.
    She attended the meeting in her capacity as an expert.
  • 身分。
    Qǐng chū shì nín de shēn fèn zhèng.
    Please present your ID card.

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.

身shēnperson
分fēnpart

身 refers to a person and 分 to a part or standing, together naming a person's standing.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 身 comes from a drawing of a pregnant woman.

Open 身 →

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

分 pairs 八 (to separate) with 刀 (knife), showing something cut apart with a knife.

Open 分 →
Appears in
Social Roles & Status

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