physische

Physische is a German adjective meaning physical or tangible, and also relating to the body or to natural phenomena as opposed to mental or spiritual aspects. It is used to describe material properties, bodily states, or processes that are observable or measurable. For example: physische Eigenschaften (physical properties), physische Merkmale (physical features), physische Veränderungen (physical changes). The ending physische occurs before feminine nouns or in feminine definite/indefinite contexts: eine physische Eigenschaft; die physische Form. In other contexts, adjectives follow standard German inflection: physischer (masculine), physisches (neuter).

Das Physische as a noun: The phrase das Physische nominalizes the concept of the physical, in contrast to the Psychische or Geistige. It is common in philosophy, psychology, and theory of mind discussions, where writers distinguish physical reality from mental phenomena.

Etymology and related terms: Physische derives from Greek physis "nature" via Latin physica and German physisch. Related terms include Physik (the science of physics), physisch (the adjective form), physiologisch (physiological).

Usage notes: In everyday German, körperlich is more common for bodily matters, while physisch tends to appear in scientific, technical, or philosophical contexts.