全身

• Reading: ぜんしん
• Romaji: zenshin
• Kanji breakdown: 全 (zen) — all, whole; 身 (shin) — body
• Pronunciation: /ze.n.ɕi.n/

Meaning

The whole body; full-length. Refers to the entire body from head to toe.

A noun and adjectival noun referring to the entire body. Used in medical contexts (全身麻酔, zenshin masui, general anaesthesia), fashion (全身コーデ, zenshin koode, full-body outfit), and physical descriptions. Also used figuratively to mean 'with one's whole being.'

Examples

1. 運動の後は全身が筋肉痛だった。 After exercising, my whole body was sore.
2. 雨に降られて全身びしょ濡れになった。 I got caught in the rain and was soaked from head to toe.
3. 全身の力を込めてドアを押した。 I pushed the door with all the strength in my body.

Usage Guide

Context: health, sports, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 全 (zen, all/whole) and 身 (shin, body). A direct compound meaning the entirety of one's physical body.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal