körperlich

Körperlich is a German adjective meaning relating to the body or to physical aspects as opposed to mental or spiritual. It is used to describe bodily states, attributes, or processes and can refer to things done by or affecting the body. Examples include körperliche Gesundheit (bodily health), körperliche Verfassung (physical condition), körperliche Beschwerden (bodily complaints), and körperliche Arbeit (manual labor). The term can function in attributive and predicative positions, as in "eine körperliche Untersuchung" or "er ist körperlich fit."

In a broader sense, körperlich contrasts with geistig or psychisch, which refer to mental or psychic aspects. The word is often found in medical, sports, and legal contexts. A common legal term is körperliche Unversehrtheit, meaning bodily integrity, which highlights the body as a protected sphere.

Etymology and related terms: körperlich is formed from the noun Körper (body) plus the suffix -lich, yielding an adjective that denotes a relationship to the body. The corresponding noun is Körperlichkeit, meaning corporeality or physicality—the quality of being physical or material. Related terms include physisch, used in more technical or scientific contexts to denote physical aspects, and geistig or psychisch, which describe mental or psychic dimensions.

Usage notes: kropp or body-related concepts are often important in health, sports, law, and philosophy. In philosophical discussions, Körperlichkeit is used to explore embodiment and the material nature of human existence.