肢体 (zhī tǐ) — limbs (arms and legs); body; limbs and trunk | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Literally 'limbs and trunk' (a technical or formal word for the body). Use 四肢 when you mean only the arms and legs, and 身体 for everyday 'body'.

noun

limbs (arms and legs)bodylimbs and trunk

Measure word · 个

Examples

肢体。
Tā de zhī tǐ zài shì gù zhōng shòu shāng le.
His limbs were injured in the accident.
肢体。
Yú jiā kě yǐ zēng jiā zhī tǐ de líng huó xìng.
Yoga can increase the flexibility of your limbs.
肢体。
Miàn shì shí yào zhù yì zì jǐ de zhī tǐ yǔ yán.
In an interview, you should pay attention to your body language.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

肢 (limbs) and 体 (body) together name the body and its limbs.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

肉肉ròuflesh

Sound part声符shēngfú

支

支zhī肢zhī

Same sound today

肢 pairs 肉 (flesh) with 支, which gives the sound.

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.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 Body Parts

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