體

The glyph ranges from the concrete physical to the abstract systemic, centering on the concept of "constitution" or "structure."

• Physical/Anatomical: The physical body, specifically in terms of its composition, framework, or biological constitution.
• Formal/Structural: Form, style, mode, or genre; a class, category, or unit defined by shared structural characteristics.

// Metaphysical: Fundamental essence, ontological ground, or substance. In philosophical contexts (notably Buddhist and Neo-Confucian), it is frequently contrasted with 用 (//yòng*), where 體 represents the essential nature and 用 represents its function or manifestation.

Primarily a noun. It may function as a modifier meaning "substantial" or "fundamental." While it can imply "embodying" in later texts, this is generally a result of surrounding syntax rather than the glyph acting as a standalone verb.

體 vs. 身 (//shēn//): Both may be translated as "body," but they are not interchangeable. 身 typically refers to the person as a whole, the self, or physical presence; 體 refers to the body as an organized structure or physical constitution.

• Variants: Some sources list 身 (U+4F53) as a semantic or simplified variant.

// Tang-period reading: //těi.

When encountering a choice between 體 and 身, note that the use of 體 typically emphasizes nature or structure rather than mere presence.