体質

• Reading: たいしつ
• Romaji: taishitsu
• Kanji breakdown: 体 (tai) — body; 質 (shitsu) — nature, quality, constitution
• Pronunciation: /tai.ɕi.tsɯ/

Meaning

Constitution; temperament; predisposition. The inherent physical or physiological characteristics that define a person's health tendencies.

A noun describing the innate physical makeup that determines susceptibility to certain conditions, reactions to substances, or general health patterns. Common collocations include アレルギー体質 (allergic constitution), 太りやすい体質 (tendency to gain weight), and 体質改善 (improving one's constitution). Can also metaphorically describe an organisation's inherent tendencies.

Examples

1. 彼女はもともとアレルギー体質で、花粉の季節は特につらそうだ。 She has always had an allergy-prone constitution, and pollen season looks especially tough for her.
2. 太りにくい体質の人でも、食生活が乱れれば体重は増える。 Even people with a constitution that makes it hard to gain weight will put on pounds if their diet falls apart.
3. 体質改善のため、毎朝ジョギングと野菜中心の食事を続けている。 To improve his constitution, he's been keeping up a routine of morning jogs and a vegetable-centered diet.

Usage Guide

Context: health, lifestyle, medicine, daily life, nutrition

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Sino-Japanese compound: 体 (tai) means body, and 質 (shitsu) means nature, quality, or substance. Together they describe the fundamental physical nature a person is born with. The concept has roots in both Chinese medicine and modern physiology.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical-Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal