A1 verb 11 دقیقه مطالعه
At the A1 level, your main goal is to learn how to use 合身 to make simple, direct statements about whether clothes fit you or not. You will primarily use it with basic clothing vocabulary like 衣服 (clothes), 裤子 (pants), and 裙子 (skirt). The grammar is very simple: Noun + 很 + 合身. For example, '这件衣服很合身' (This clothing fits well). You also need to know how to make it negative: Noun + 不 + 合身. For example, '那条裤子不合身' (Those pants do not fit). You do not need to worry about complex grammar structures yet. Just focus on using it as a basic adjective to describe the size of clothes when you are shopping or getting dressed. Remember that it only applies to clothes, not shoes or other items.
At the A2 level, you can start using 合身 in slightly more complex sentences, particularly questions and comparisons. You should be able to ask shop assistants or friends if something fits using the V-not-V question form: '合不合身?' (Does it fit?). You can also start using it to modify nouns directly by adding '的', such as '我想买一件合身的衬衫' (I want to buy a fitting shirt). Furthermore, you can use basic comparison structures, like '这件比那件更合身' (This one fits better than that one). At this level, you are expanding your ability to communicate effectively in a retail environment, expressing your preferences and asking for opinions on how clothes look and fit on your body.
At the B1 level, your usage of 合身 becomes more nuanced and integrated into complex narratives. You can use it to explain reasons for actions, such as returning an item: '因为这件外套不合身,所以我退货了' (Because this jacket didn't fit, I returned it). You should also be comfortable using it with complements of state, such as '他穿得很合身' (He wears it in a way that fits well). At this stage, you can distinguish between 合身 (physical fit) and 合适 (overall suitability) and use both correctly in the same paragraph. You can discuss shopping experiences on Taobao, mentioning how reading reviews helps you find clothes that are 真正合身 (truly fitting).
At the B2 level, you are expected to use 合身 effortlessly in discussions about fashion, tailoring, and personal style. You can discuss the concept of custom-made clothing (定制) and the importance of garments being 量身定做 (tailor-made) to ensure they are perfectly 合身. You can express more abstract ideas, such as how wearing 合身的衣服 (well-fitting clothes) impacts one's confidence or professional image in the workplace. You will use a wider variety of adverbs to modify the word, such as 极其合身 (extremely fitting) or 勉强合身 (barely fitting). Your vocabulary around the word expands to include specific tailoring terms like 剪裁 (cut/tailoring).
At the C1 level, 合身 is a deeply ingrained part of your vocabulary, and you can use it in sophisticated cultural or historical contexts. You might discuss the evolution of Chinese fashion, noting how the preference has shifted from loose, practical garments in the past to highly tailored, 合身 designs in modern times. You can read and write detailed reviews or critiques of fashion, using advanced phrasing to describe how the 剪裁 (cut) makes a garment exceptionally 合身. You understand the subtle implications of fit in different social strata and can articulate how a perfectly 合身 suit is a marker of professionalism and attention to detail in high-level business environments.
At the C2 level, you have near-native mastery of the word 合身. You can use it metaphorically, although its primary use remains literal. You understand all regional variations and colloquialisms related to clothing fit. You can engage in complex literary or academic discussions about aesthetics, body image, and the sociology of fashion in China, using 合身 as a foundational concept to explore how individuals present themselves to society. You can effortlessly correct subtle mistakes made by lower-level learners and explain the precise semantic boundaries between 合身, 贴身, 称身, and other near-synonyms with absolute clarity and precision.
When you are learning Chinese and you go shopping for clothes, one of the most critical words you will need to know is 合身 (héshēn). This word translates directly to 'to fit perfectly' or 'fitting well' when referring to clothing. Understanding the morphological breakdown of this word provides a fascinating glimpse into how the Chinese language constructs meaning. The first character, 合 (hé), means to join, to combine, to suit, or to match. The second character, 身 (shēn), translates to body. Therefore, when you put them together, the literal meaning is 'to match the body' or 'to suit the body'. This is a highly logical and visual way to express the concept of clothing fitting well. You will hear this word constantly in retail environments, tailor shops, and everyday conversations when people are discussing their outfits, shopping experiences, or online purchases. In Chinese culture, the concept of clothing fitting well has evolved significantly over the decades. In the past, during the mid-20th century, clothing was often made slightly larger to accommodate growth or to allow for layering during harsh winters without central heating. However, modern Chinese fashion places a high premium on tailored, well-fitting garments.

这件外套非常 合身.

When you walk into a clothing store in Beijing or Shanghai, the sales assistants will often hover nearby, eager to offer their opinions. If you try on a jacket and it looks great, they will enthusiastically tell you how 合身 it is.
Retail Context
In stores, salesclerks use this word to encourage purchases, often pairing it with compliments about your figure.
It is important to note that 合身 functions primarily as an adjective, even though it describes an action-like state of fitting. You can modify it with degree adverbs like 很 (very), 非常 (extremely), or 不 (not).

这条裤子有点不 合身.

Online shopping on platforms like Taobao or JD.com is incredibly popular in China. Because you cannot try clothes on before buying, reading reviews is crucial. Shoppers frequently leave comments discussing whether an item is 合身. They will mention their height and weight and confirm if the size they ordered resulted in a 合身 fit.
E-commerce Usage
Online reviews heavily rely on this term to guide other buyers regarding sizing accuracy.
If an item is not 合身, it is usually grounds for a return (退货).

因为衣服不 合身,所以我退货了.

Another context where you will hear this word is at the tailor (裁缝店). Custom-made clothing (定制服装) is still relatively accessible and affordable in many parts of China. When you go to a tailor to have a suit or a traditional Qipao (旗袍) made, the ultimate goal is to achieve a perfectly 合身 garment. The tailor will take precise measurements of your body to ensure the final product matches your body shape exactly.

裁缝做的西装最 合身.

The cultural emphasis on presenting a neat and tidy appearance makes wearing 合身 clothes very important in professional settings. Wearing clothes that are too baggy (太宽大) or too tight (太紧) can be seen as unprofessional or careless. Therefore, mastering the use of 合身 will not only help you navigate shopping in China but also help you understand the cultural nuances of personal presentation and style.
Professional Context
In business environments, well-fitting attire is a sign of respect and professionalism.

面试时穿 合身 的衣服很重要.

By practicing this word in various sentences, you will quickly become comfortable using it to describe your own clothing preferences and experiences.
Using 合身 (héshēn) in a sentence is quite straightforward once you understand its grammatical behavior. Although it translates to 'to fit' in English (which is a verb), in Chinese, it usually functions as an adjective. This means it follows the typical rules for Chinese adjectives, often requiring the use of degree adverbs like 很 (hěn - very) or 非常 (fēicháng - extremely) when making a simple descriptive statement.

这件衬衫很 合身.

You cannot simply say '这件衬衫合身' in a standalone affirmative sentence; it sounds incomplete without the '很'. When forming negative sentences, you use 不 (bù - not) before the word.

那条裙子不 合身.

Notice that you do not use 很 in negative sentences. You can also use it to modify a noun, but because it is a multi-character adjective, you must use the structural particle 的 (de) between 合身 and the noun.
Modifying Nouns
Always use the pattern: 合身的 + Noun (e.g., 合身的衣服).

我想买一套 合身 的西装.

In questions, you can use the V-not-V structure, which is very common in spoken Chinese. You would ask '合不合身?' (Does it fit or not?).

你试一下,看看合不 合身

Question Forms
Use '合身吗?' or '合不合身?' to ask if clothing fits.
Another common structure involves using the verb 穿 (chuān - to wear) with the complement of state particle 得 (de). You can say '穿得很合身' to describe the state of wearing something that fits well.

他这件大衣穿得很 合身.

This emphasizes the result of the wearing action. When shopping, you might also hear comparisons. For example, if you try on two sizes, you might say '这件比那件更合身' (This one fits better than that one).
Comparisons
Use 'A 比 B (更) 合身' to compare the fit of two garments.
It is also possible to use 合身 as a predicate describing a specific body part, though this is less common. For instance, '这件衣服肩膀处很合身' (This piece of clothing fits well at the shoulders). Understanding these various sentence patterns will give you the flexibility to express exactly how your clothes fit, whether you are chatting with friends, consulting a tailor, or leaving a review on a Chinese e-commerce website. Practice these structures until they feel natural, as they are essential patterns for everyday Chinese communication.
The word 合身 (héshēn) is deeply embedded in the daily life of Chinese speakers, primarily because clothing and personal appearance are universal concerns. The most obvious place you will hear this word is in physical retail stores. When you walk into a boutique in a shopping mall in Beijing, Guangzhou, or Chengdu, the sales staff are trained to assist you closely. As soon as you step out of the fitting room (试衣间), the immediate question will almost always be, '怎么样?合身吗?' (How is it? Does it fit well?).

售货员问我衣服合不 合身.

If it looks good, they will shower you with compliments, stating '非常合身,就像为您量身定做的一样!' (It fits perfectly, like it was tailor-made for you!).
Fitting Rooms
The fitting room is the epicenter of the word 合身. Expect to hear it every time you try something on.
Beyond brick-and-mortar stores, the digital landscape of China is where 合身 truly dominates. China has the largest e-commerce market in the world, with platforms like Taobao, JD.com, and Pinduoduo processing millions of clothing orders daily. Because online shoppers cannot try clothes on, they rely entirely on size charts and, more importantly, customer reviews. The comment sections (评论区) of clothing listings are filled with the word 合身.

我看评论说这件衣服很 合身.

Users will often post their exact height and weight (e.g., '身高165,体重50公斤') and then state whether the size they bought was 合身.
Online Reviews
Shoppers use this word to validate the accuracy of a seller's size chart.
You will also hear this word frequently in domestic settings, particularly among family members. Parents buying clothes for their children will constantly check if the items are 合身. In fact, because children grow so fast, older generations in China sometimes prefer to buy clothes that are slightly larger (买大一号), so you might hear a grandparent say, '现在不太合身,明年穿就正好了' (It doesn't fit well now, but it will be just right next year).

妈妈给我买的毛衣不 合身.

Another highly relevant context is the tailor shop (裁缝店) or alteration service (改衣店). If you buy a pair of pants that are too long, you take them to an alteration shop. The tailor will pin the fabric and ask, '这样合身吗?' (Does it fit like this?).

裁缝把裤子改得很 合身.

Alterations
Alteration shops exist specifically to make non-fitting clothes 合身.
Finally, in professional settings or when preparing for significant events like weddings, the concept of 合身 is paramount. A groom's suit or a bride's dress must be perfectly 合身, representing respect for the occasion.

他的结婚礼服非常 合身.

Understanding these diverse contexts will help you anticipate when you might hear or need to use the word 合身.
When English speakers learn the word 合身 (héshēn), they often encounter a few specific stumbling blocks due to differences in grammar and usage between English and Chinese. The most frequent mistake is treating 合身 strictly as a verb in the way 'to fit' is used in English. In English, we say 'The shirt fits me.' This leads learners to directly translate the sentence structure, resulting in the incorrect Chinese sentence: '这件衬衫合身我' (Zhè jiàn chènshān héshēn wǒ). This is grammatically incorrect in Chinese. 合身 is an intransitive adjective/verb; it cannot take a direct object.

这件衬衫对我来说很 合身.

Grammar Error
Never put a pronoun directly after 合身. Use '对 [person] 来说' instead.
To say 'it fits me', you should say '这件衬衫很合身' (This shirt is very fitting) or '这件衬衫我穿很合身' (This shirt, when I wear it, is very fitting). Another common mistake is omitting the degree adverb in affirmative sentences. Beginners often say '这件衣服合身', which sounds abrupt and grammatically incomplete to a native ear.

这件衣服很 合身.

Missing Adverb
Adjectives in Chinese usually need a degree word like 很 when acting as the main predicate.
A third mistake involves confusing 合身 with 合适 (héshì). While both relate to suitability, they are not always interchangeable. 合身 specifically and exclusively refers to the physical dimensions of clothing fitting the body. 合适 is a broader term meaning 'suitable' or 'appropriate' and can be used for shoes, situations, prices, or even people.

这双鞋不合适,衣服很 合身.

If you say a pair of shoes is 合身, native speakers will understand you, but it sounds comical, as if you are trying to wear shoes on your torso.
Wrong Context
Do not use 合身 for shoes, hats, or abstract concepts. Use it strictly for garments that cover the body.

这个计划不合适,但西装很 合身.

Finally, learners sometimes struggle with the pronunciation, confusing the tones. 合 is second tone (rising) and 身 is first tone (flat and high). Mispronouncing these can lead to confusion, though context usually saves the day.

请帮我找一件 合身 的外套.

By being aware of these common pitfalls—avoiding direct objects, remembering the degree adverb, restricting usage to clothing, and practicing the tones—you can use 合身 accurately and sound much more like a native speaker.
Expanding your vocabulary beyond 合身 (héshēn) allows you to express nuances in how clothing fits and suits you. While 合身 is the most standard word for 'fitting well physically', several alternatives and related terms are essential for a well-rounded Chinese vocabulary. The most common related word is 合适 (héshì), which means 'suitable' or 'appropriate'.

这件衣服既 合身 又合适.

合适 vs 合身
合身 means the physical size is right. 合适 means the style, occasion, or overall vibe is right, and can apply to anything, not just clothes.
If a jacket is the right size (合身), but the color is terrible on you, it is not 合适. Another excellent alternative is 贴身 (tiēshēn). 贴 means to stick or stay close to. Therefore, 贴身 means 'close-fitting' or 'form-fitting'. It is often used for underwear (贴身衣物) or tight dresses.

这件毛衣很贴身,也非常 合身.

贴身 (Close-fitting)
Implies a tight, contouring fit. Not all 合身 clothes are 贴身.
If you want to describe something that is tailor-made or custom-fitted, you can use the phrase 量身定做 (liángshēn dìngzuò). This is an idiom that means 'measured to the body and custom made'.

这套西装是量身定做的,所以特别 合身.

For situations where clothes do not fit, you have several options. If it is too big, you say 太大了 (tài dà le) or 宽大 (kuāndà - loose/baggy). If it is too small, you say 太小了 (tài xiǎo le). If it is uncomfortably tight, you can use 紧绷 (jǐnbēng).

衣服太紧绷了,一点也不 合身.

Antonyms
Know the opposites: 宽大 (loose) and 紧绷 (tight) are the main reasons why something is not 合身.
In colloquial spoken Chinese, you might also hear people simply say 刚好 (gānghǎo) or 正好 (zhènghǎo), meaning 'just right'. When you try on a shirt and it fits perfectly, saying '正好!' is a very natural, native-sounding reaction.

大小正好,非常 合身.

By mastering these related terms—合适, 贴身, 量身定做, and 刚好—you build a rich semantic network around the concept of fitting, allowing you to describe your clothing and shopping experiences with precision and native-like fluency.

مثال‌ها بر اساس سطح

1

这件衣服很合身。

This piece of clothing fits very well.

Noun + 很 + Adjective

2

那条裤子不合身。

Those pants do not fit.

Noun + 不 + Adjective

3

我的新裙子很合身。

My new skirt fits well.

Possessive + Noun + 很 + Adjective

4

这件外套合身吗?

Does this coat fit?

Question with 吗

5

他的毛衣不合身。

His sweater does not fit.

Negative statement

6

我喜欢合身的衣服。

I like fitting clothes.

Adjective + 的 + Noun

7

这件衬衫非常合身。

This shirt fits extremely well.

Degree adverb 非常

8

衣服合身,我很高兴。

The clothes fit, I am very happy.

Simple compound sentence

1

你穿这件大衣合不合身?

Does this overcoat fit you or not?

V-not-V question form

2

这件红色的比蓝色的更合身。

This red one fits better than the blue one.

Comparison with 比 and 更

3

我想买一条合身的牛仔裤。

I want to buy a pair of fitting jeans.

Verb + Noun phrase with 的

4

虽然颜色好看,但是不合身。

Although the color looks good, it doesn't fit.

虽然...但是... structure

5

请帮我找一件合身的外套。

Please help me find a fitting jacket.

Imperative with 请

6

这双鞋合适,衣服也很合身。

These shoes are suitable, and the clothes also fit well.

Distinguishing 合适 and 合身

7

因为衣服不合身,所以我没买。

Because the clothes didn't fit, I didn't buy them.

因为...所以... structure

8

这条裙子你穿得真合身!

You wear this skirt so well (it fits perfectly)!

Complement of state with 得

1

我在网上买的衣服不太合身,打算退换。

The clothes I bought online don't fit very well, I plan to return/exchange them.

Complex sentence with relative clause

2

为了面试,他特意去买了一套合身的西装。

For the interview, he specifically went to buy a well-fitting suit.

为了 indicating purpose

3

这件衣服的剪裁很好,穿起来特别合身。

The cut of this clothing is very good, it fits exceptionally well when worn.

Verb + 起来 structure

4

只要衣服合身,牌子其实并不重要。

As long as the clothes fit, the brand is actually not important.

只要...就/其实... structure

5

裁缝量了我的尺寸,保证做出来的旗袍绝对合身。

The tailor took my measurements and guaranteed the resulting Qipao would be absolutely fitting.

Resultative complement 出来

6

小孩子长得快,买太合身的衣服很快就穿不下了。

Children grow fast, buying clothes that fit too perfectly means they will soon not be able to wear them.

Potential complement 穿不下

7

评价里大家都说尺码偏小,建议买大一码才合身。

In the reviews, everyone says the sizing runs small, recommending buying one size up to fit.

才 indicating condition

8

即使这件衣服打折很便宜,如果不合身我也不会买。

Even if this clothing is deeply discounted and cheap, if it doesn't fit I won't buy it.

即使...也... structure

1

高级定制服装的最大优势就在于其无与伦比的合身度。

The biggest advantage of haute couture lies in its unparalleled degree of fit.

Nounification with 度

2

穿着合身的职业装不仅能提升自信,还能给客户留下专业印象。

Wearing well-fitting professional attire not only boosts confidence but also leaves a professional impression on clients.

不仅...还... structure

3

随着人们生活水平的提高,对衣物合身和舒适的要求也越来越高。

As people's living standards improve, their demands for clothing fit and comfort are also getting higher and higher.

随着... structure

4

这件风衣的版型设计得很巧妙,无论高矮胖瘦穿上都显得很合身。

The silhouette of this trench coat is cleverly designed; regardless of height or weight, it looks fitting when worn.

无论...都... structure

5

网购时,准确掌握自己的三围数据是买到合身衣物的关键前提。

When shopping online, accurately knowing your own body measurements is the key prerequisite to buying fitting clothes.

是...的关键

6

这件礼服虽然华丽,但腰部稍微有些不合身,需要拿去改衣店微调。

Although this gown is gorgeous, it is slightly ill-fitting at the waist and needs to be taken to the alteration shop for fine-tuning.

虽然...但... with specific location

7

他坚持认为,一件真正合身的衬衫应该像第二层皮肤一样贴合。

He insists that a truly well-fitting shirt should fit closely like a second layer of skin.

像...一样 comparison

8

在快时尚盛行的今天,很难在成衣店里找到百分之百合身的西装。

In today's era of fast fashion, it is difficult to find a 100% fitting suit in a ready-to-wear store.

在...的今天 context setting

1

这套西服的剪裁可谓天衣无缝,其合身程度彰显了裁缝精湛的技艺。

The tailoring of this suit can be described as flawless; its degree of fit highlights the tailor's exquisite craftsmanship.

Advanced vocabulary and idioms (天衣无缝)

2

现代审美逐渐摒弃了过去那种宽大拖沓的风格,转而追求极致的合身与干练。

Modern aesthetics have gradually abandoned the loose and sluggish style of the past, turning instead to pursue ultimate fit and neatness.

转而 indicating a shift

3

对于公众人物而言,出席重要场合时衣着是否合身,往往会被媒体放大解读。

For public figures, whether their attire fits well when attending important events is often magnified and analyzed by the media.

是否 used as a subject/condition

4

这件旗袍不仅在物理尺寸上做到了严丝合缝的合身,更在气质上与穿着者完美契合。

This Qipao not only achieves a tightly sealed fit in physical dimensions but also perfectly matches the wearer in temperament.

不仅...更... emphasizing a deeper level

5

在探讨服装社会学时,我们发现“合身”这一概念本身就蕴含着强烈的阶级与身份认同。

When exploring the sociology of clothing, we find that the concept of 'fit' itself contains strong class and identity recognition.

蕴含着 indicating contained meaning

6

受限于流水线生产的标准化模型,成衣品牌往往只能提供一种妥协式的、相对的合身。

Limited by the standardized models of assembly line production, ready-to-wear brands can often only provide a compromised, relative fit.

受限于 indicating limitation

7

她对衣物的挑剔程度令人咋舌,哪怕是内搭的吊带衫也必须做到绝对的合身。

Her level of pickiness regarding clothing is astonishing; even an inner camisole must achieve absolute fit.

哪怕是...也... indicating extreme cases

8

通过3D人体扫描技术,未来的服装定制将彻底解决“不合身”这一困扰消费者的世纪难题。

Through 3D body scanning technology, future clothing customization will completely solve the century-old problem of 'ill-fitting' that plagues consumers.

彻底解决 indicating complete resolution

1

所谓“量体裁衣”,其精髓不仅仅在于尺寸的精准合身,更在于通过剪裁掩盖体态瑕疵,扬长避短。

The so-called 'measuring the body to cut the clothes', its essence lies not only in the precise fit of dimensions but more in covering postural flaws through tailoring, maximizing strengths and avoiding weaknesses.

Use of idioms (量体裁衣, 扬长避短)

2

在传统服饰文化的语境下,合身往往被赋予了礼教的意味——过紧则显轻浮,过宽则显失仪。

In the context of traditional clothing culture, fit is often endowed with the meaning of etiquette—too tight appears frivolous, too loose appears improper.

Philosophical/cultural analysis structure

3

那件历经岁月洗礼的旧军装,穿在他佝偻的身上依然显得那么合身,仿佛承载着他不屈的灵魂。

That old military uniform, baptized by the years, still looks so fitting on his hunched body, as if carrying his unyielding soul.

Literary and poetic description

4

消费主义的话语体系不断重新定义“合身”的标准,借此制造身材焦虑,从而推动服装产业的无休止迭代。

The discourse system of consumerism constantly redefines the standard of 'fit', thereby creating body anxiety to drive the endless iteration of the clothing industry.

Academic sociological critique

5

即便是在虚拟现实的元宇宙中,数字虚拟人的服装物理模拟也致力于追求一种极致逼真的“合身感”。

Even in the metaverse of virtual reality, the physical simulation of clothing for digital avatars is dedicated to pursuing an extremely realistic 'sense of fit'.

Application to cutting-edge tech concepts

6

他那套看似随性实则经过精心解构的装束,打破了传统意义上对“合身”的刻板印象,展现出一种游刃有余的松弛感。

His outfit, which seems casual but is actually carefully deconstructed, breaks the stereotype of 'fit' in the traditional sense, showing a relaxed sense of effortless mastery.

Advanced fashion critique vocabulary

7

从某种哲学层面上讲,一个人能找到一件与之完美合身的衣服,犹如在茫茫人海中寻得灵魂伴侣般难能可贵。

On a certain philosophical level,

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