身子

• Pinyin: shēn zi
• Hanzi breakdown: 身 = pictograph of a body; 子 = pictograph of a child (used here as a colloquialising diminutive suffix)

Meaning

The body (colloquial); one's physical condition or health; also used euphemistically for pregnancy in certain regional contexts.

A colloquial equivalent of 身体, common in everyday speech and folk expressions. 身子骨 (shēnzi gǔ) refers specifically to one's constitution or physique. The phrase 有了身子 is a common indirect way of saying someone is pregnant.

Examples

1. 奶奶年纪大了，身子骨一年不如一年，家人都很担心。 Grandma is getting older, and her health gets worse year by year, which has the family really worried.
2. 她最近身子不太舒服，一直在家休息，没有出门。 She hasn’t been feeling well lately, so she’s been resting at home and hasn’t gone out.
3. 听说她有了身子，全家人都高兴得合不拢嘴。 I heard she’s pregnant, and the whole family is over the moon.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, family, health, colloquial

Tone: warm

Do Say

• 天气冷了，你要多注意身子，别着凉了。(The weather has turned cold — take good care of your health and don't catch a chill.)
• 老人家身子骨还硬朗，每天都能出去走上几圈。(The old man is still in robust health and can walk several rounds outdoors each day.)

Don't Say

• 在正式场合说身子不舒服 — 身子 is colloquial and familiar; use 身体 in medical, official, or professional settings

Origin & History

身 (body) + 子 (colloquialising suffix)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal