Definition

Noun: 1. The physical body; the flesh; the corporeal form: Refers specifically to the mortal, material body of a human being, often in contrast to the spirit, soul, or mind. It emphasizes the tangible, physical substance and its inherent limitations or nature. 2. The carnal or sensual aspect of human nature: Can refer to the physical desires and appetites associated with the body.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Tâm hồn và nhục thể luôn có sự giằng co. (The soul and the flesh are always in conflict.)
  • Anh ấy chấp nhận những đau đớn của nhục thể. (He accepted the pains of the physical body.)
  • Những cám dỗ của nhục thể thật khó chống lại. (The temptations of the flesh are hard to resist.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is often used in philosophical, religious, or literary contexts to discuss the duality of human existence (body vs. spirit/soul). It carries a more profound or solemn connotation than the more common and neutral word for body, "cơ thể".

Variants and Related Words

• Thân xác (noun): A close synonym meaning "the body," often used interchangeably with "nhục thể" but can sometimes sound slightly less literary.
• Xác thịt (noun): Literally "flesh and blood"; emphasizes the physical, mortal substance. It is very similar in meaning and usage to "nhục thể."
• Cơ thể (noun): The standard, neutral word for "body" (physical structure), without the philosophical or contrastive implications of "nhục thể."

Synonyms

• Thân thể (noun): The body, physique.
• Thân xác (noun): The body, corporeal form.

Related Idioms

• Nhục thể phàm trần: (The mortal flesh / The earthly body) A poetic or religious phrase emphasizing the transient, imperfect, and worldly nature of the physical human form.
  • Kiếp nhục thể phàm trần chịu nhiều khổ đau. (This life in a mortal body endures much suffering.)

noun

1. body, flesh