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一身 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
一身yìshēnwhole bodyHSK 6, unknown, 8 strokes, rank #13474, Hard
一身yìshēnfrom head to toeHSK 6, unknown, 8 strokes, rank #13474, Hard
一身yìshēnsingle personHSK 6, unknown, 8 strokes, rank #13474, Hard
一身yìshēna suit of clothesHSK 6, unknown, 8 strokes, rank #13474, Hard
yìshēn(yi4shen1)yi shen T1
  1. 1whole body
  2. 2from head to toe
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March 24, 2026

一身yìshēn(yi4shen1)

The term '一身' (yī shēn) literally translates to 'one body' and can refer to the whole body or a person's physical form. It is commonly used in expressions to describe someone’s appearance or to refer to being fully dressed or suited up. Additionally, it can imply completeness or entirety regarding a person's outfit or state.

Strokes8Frequency#13474DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, dressing well is often associated with respect and self-respect, making '一身' a significant term when discussing personal presentation. It reflects the importance placed on appearances in social situations.

Memory Tip

Imagine a single body ('一身') as a whole covered in a single suit of clothes. Visualize a person stepping out in a perfectly tailored suit, showing off their entire body, emphasizing the concept of being fully clothed or dressed from head to toe.

Meanings of 一身

yìshēn(yi4shen1)
1whole body
2from head to toe
Exercise 1 of 3

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About 一身

一身Simplified
8Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

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Podcast: 一身

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AI Study Notes for 一身

Quick Contrast

全身 (quán shēn) - use '一身' for emphasis on the entirety of a person's outfit, while '全身' focuses more on the physical body itself.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse '一身' with similar terms that describe parts of the body. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing attire or physical condition. Common collocations include phrases like '一身是伤' (full of wounds) or '一身干净' (spotlessly clean).

HSK Study Tips

As '一身' is not a standard HSK vocabulary word, students at HSK Level 2 or 3 might encounter it in context when discussing appearances or clothing. Focus on recognizing its use in phrases that convey completeness or totality related to a person.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use '一身' when referring to specific body parts instead of the whole. For example, saying '一身手' (one body hand) instead of '一只手' (one hand) is incorrect. Always use '一身' to refer to the entire body or when discussing clothing.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 一身

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Component Characters

一yīone
HSK 11 strokes一
View full entry
身shēnbody
HSK 47 strokes身
View full entry

How to say whole body in Chinese

“whole body” in Chinese is一身yìshēn

The term '一身' (yī shēn) literally translates to 'one body' and can refer to the whole body or a person's physical form. It is commonly used in expressions to describe someone’s appearance or to refer to being fully dressed or suited up. Additionally, it can imply completeness or entirety regarding a person's outfit or state.

When to use 一身

Be cautious not to confuse '一身' with similar terms that describe parts of the body. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing attire or physical condition. Common collocations include phrases like '一身是伤' (full of wounds) or '一身干净' (spotlessly clean).

一身 or something close to it

全身 (quán shēn) - use '一身' for emphasis on the entirety of a person's outfit, while '全身' focuses more on the physical body itself.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use '一身' when referring to specific body parts instead of the whole. For example, saying '一身手' (one body hand) instead of '一只手' (one hand) is incorrect. Always use '一身' to refer to the entire body or when discussing clothing.

Write 一身

一
身

Practice writing 一身 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Common Confusions with 一身

一身vs一生
yī shēng

Shares the '一' but refers to life instead of body.

一身vs身
shēn

Similar shape, but 一身 emphasizes entirety.

Exercise 1 of 1

Which one

Which one means “whole body”?

or

Usage Notes for 一身

Misunderstanding usage contextsCommon Error

Learners often confuse 一身 with 一生, as they sound similar but refer to different concepts.

1

他一身都是汗。

He is drenched in sweat.

Exercise 1 of 1

Get it right

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

他____都是汗。

He is drenched in sweat.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 一身

No, 一身 can be used to describe both people and clothing. While it often refers to a person's physical state, it can also indicate being fully dressed or attired in a particular outfit.

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