全身

• Pinyin: quán shēn
• Hanzi breakdown: 全 = 入 (enter) + 王 (king); 身 = pictograph of a person with a prominent belly, representing the body

Meaning

The whole body; from head to toe. Refers to every part of a person's body.

Commonly used to describe physical sensations, clothing coverage, or states that affect the entire body. Frequently appears in phrases like 全身上下 (from top to bottom), 全身湿透 (soaked from head to toe), and 全身无力 (feeling weak all over).

Examples

1. 跑完步以后，我全身都是汗。 After running, my whole body was covered in sweat.
2. 他冷得全身发抖。 He was so cold that his whole body was shivering.
3. 这只小猫全身都是白色的。 This little cat is white all over.

Usage Guide

Context: health, physical description, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我全身都很累。(My whole body is tired.)
• 她全身穿着红色的衣服。(She is dressed in red from head to toe.)

Don't Say

• 不要用全身来形容某个具体部位 (Don't use 全身 to describe just one body part — 全身 means the entire body; for a specific area say 手臂 or 腿 etc.)

Origin & History

全 (quán, whole/entire) + 身 (shēn, body). A direct compound meaning the entirety of one's body.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal