化身

huàshēn

noun HSK 7 #9,071

Meanings

1 incarnation
2 embodiment
3 avatar

Characters

to transform; to change into

Examples

她简直就是正义的化身。

Tā jiǎnzhí jiù shì zhèngyì de huàshēn.

She is practically the embodiment of justice.

在这个故事里，他是魔鬼的化身。

Zài zhège gùshi lǐ, tā shì móguǐ de huàshēn.

In this story, he is the incarnation of the devil.

Tips

history

化身 originally comes from Buddhist terminology, referring to a Buddha or deity taking physical form. It is now used metaphorically for any embodiment of a quality.

Stroke Order

化 huà

身 shēn