身材

• Pinyin: shēn cái
• Hanzi breakdown: 身 = pictograph of a person with a prominent belly — body; 材 = 木 (wood) + 才 (talent/quality) — material, quality

Meaning

Figure; physique; build. Refers to the shape and proportions of a person's body.

Used to describe body shape — 身材好 (good figure), 身材高大 (tall and well-built), 身材苗条 (slender). Common in fitness, fashion, and appearance discussions. Generally neutral but can be sensitive in direct personal comments.

Examples

1. 她经常健身，身材保持得很好。 She exercises regularly and maintains a great figure.
2. 他身材高大，很容易在人群中被找到。 He is tall and well-built, so he is easy to spot in a crowd.
3. 穿什么衣服要根据自己的身材来选。 What clothes to wear should be chosen based on your own figure.

Usage Guide

Context: fashion, fitness, description

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 她身材很好，什么衣服都穿得好看。(She has a great figure — she looks good in everything.)
• 运动可以帮助保持好身材。(Exercise can help maintain a good figure.)

Don't Say

• 你的身材不好 said directly to someone (Commenting negatively on someone's figure is considered rude — use softer expressions or avoid the topic)

Origin & History

Compound of 身 (body) and 材 (material, quality) — the material or quality of one's body, hence figure.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal