About this Draft
This page is part of the early access version of The Kanji Speedrun. The essentials—kanji meanings and mnemonics—are already in place and usable, but nearly every part of the page is still being polished. Some entries may contain mistakes, but please rest assured we are working hard to make revisions.
We’re sharing these drafts now so you can keep learning while we polish the full experience. If you notice something off, please don’t hesitate to let me know—it’s a huge help in improving the course!
体
BODY ・ FORM
Mnemonic
On the left, we see person (亻). On the right is tree (木). Imagine a person standing tall like a tree, with trunk, branches, and balance. That image of upright strength reminds us of the BODY — and by extension, one’s overall FORM.
Think of 体 as both the physical body and the overall form or structure of something (like a group or an object).
Example Vocabulary
- 体（からだ） – body
- 体育（たいいく） – physical education, P.E.
- 体験（たいけん） – personal experience
- 団体（だんたい） – group, organization
- 全体（ぜんたい） – whole, entirety
From body to structure
At its core, 体 is the “body” (体) itself. But it also extends into ideas of physical training (体育), personal experiences (体験), and the form of groups (団体).
Even when talking about “the whole thing” (全体), this kanji shows how the concept of body naturally expands into structure and form.
Example Sentences
- 毎朝ジョギングをして体をきたえます。– I jog every morning to train my body.
- この体験は一生わすれません。– I’ll never forget this experience.