体质

• Pinyin: tǐ zhì
• Hanzi breakdown: 体 = 亻(person) + 本 (root) — body; 质 = 斤 + 贝 (shell) — quality, nature

Meaning

Constitution; physical condition; one's natural bodily makeup.

Refers to a person's inherent physical characteristics including immunity, resilience, and predisposition to certain conditions. Central to traditional Chinese medicine, which classifies people into different constitution types. Also used in modern health and fitness contexts.

Examples

1. 她从小体质就弱，容易感冒，得格外注意保暖。 She's had a weak constitution since childhood and catches colds easily, so she needs to stay especially warm.
2. 中医认为每个人的体质不同，用药要因人而异。 Traditional Chinese medicine holds that everyone's constitution differs, so medication must be tailored to the individual.
3. 坚持运动可以增强体质，提高身体的抵抗力。 Regular exercise can strengthen one's constitution and boost the body's resistance.

Usage Guide

Context: health, medical, fitness

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 他体质很好，很少生病。(He has a strong constitution and rarely gets sick.)
• 过敏体质的人要小心。(People with allergic constitutions should be careful.)

Don't Say

• 把暂时的身体状态说成'体质' (Don't call temporary physical state 体质 — it refers to inherent constitution)

Origin & History

体 means body, 质 means nature or quality — bodily nature.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal