Refers to the physical body, build, or posture of a person or animal. Common in health, sports, and everyday contexts.
毎日運動して体を鍛えている。
I train my body by exercising every day.
彼は体が大きい。
He has a large build.
Used for the outward form or style of objects, structures, or abstract things. Often appears in compounds like 字体 (character style) or 文体 (writing style).
この建物は変わった体をしている。
This building has an unusual shape.
Refers to the essential nature, true identity, or real content of something, as opposed to its appearance. Often used in philosophical or analytical contexts.
この計画はまだ体をなしていない。
This plan hasn't taken shape yet (lacks substance).
Mathematical term for an algebraic structure with addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Technical use.
実数全体は体をなす。
The set of all real numbers forms a field.
counter for humanoid forms (dolls, statues, corpses, etc.)
Used as a counter for human-shaped objects, especially in formal or technical contexts. Not used for living people.
この博物館にはミイラが三体展示されている。
Three mummies are displayed in this museum.
Refers to a style of type or font in printing and typography. Often used in compounds like 書体 (typeface) or 活字体 (print type).
このポスターでは太い体が使われている。
A bold typeface is used in this poster.
彼の文章は独特の体を持っている。
His writing has a distinctive style.
彼の言葉には体がない。
His words lack substance.
人形を二体買った。
I bought two dolls.
Mincho typeface is easy to read.
体 is the common counter for bodies, dolls, and figures (and sometimes ghosts), while 位 as a ghost counter is a rare, specialized usage.
whole; entirety; overall · to begin with; in the first place · what on earth; why in the world; the heck
group; party; team · organization; association; body
itself; the thing itself; in itself · one's own body; oneself · originally; naturally; by nature; from the start
(practical) experience; personal experience; hands-on experience
body; physical system; person
The kanji 体 originally depicted a person and a ritual vessel, later extended to mean 'body' and 'form'. The reading たい is the on'yomi (Sino-Japanese).
main body; main unit; body (of a machine) · substance; true form; true character · object of worship · noumenon · base price; pre-tax price
generally; mostly; roughly; about · general; rough; approximate · outline; gist; main points · in the first place; to begin with; from the start
physical condition; state of health
true identity; true form; true colors · consciousness; one's senses
physical education; PE; gym class
physical strength; stamina; endurance · strength (of a business, economy, etc.)
airframe; fuselage; aircraft body
municipality; local government; self-governing body
dead body; corpse; cadaver; carcass
body; flesh; physique
union; combination; merger · conjugation (of gametes) · sexual intercourse; copulation
physical constitution; predisposition; tendency · character; nature; make-up
demolition; dismantling; disassembly · dissolution; breaking up · dissection; dismemberment
dead body; corpse; remains
wasteful; a waste · too good for; more than one deserves; unworthy of · sacrilegious; impious; profane
main constituent; core; nucleus · subject
liquid; fluid
solid body; three-dimensional object · multi-storey car park
figure; body shape; build; physique · somatotype; biotype; physique type
inside the body; interior of the body
individual; specimen
simple substance; elementary substance · standalone; separate item; solo item