实体 shítǐ entity
entity; substance; thing that has a material existence (as opposed to a conceptual, virtual or online existence); the real thing (as opposed to an image or model of it)
How to remember 实体: 实 real + 体 body = entity.
Characters
How it is used
- An entity with real, material existence - as opposed to virtual or conceptual - 实体店 (shítǐ diàn) a brick-and-mortar store (vs online).
- Its key contrast is 虚拟/网络 (virtual/online): 实体经济 (real economy) vs 虚拟经济. Also 'entity' in law/philosophy.
- Modern, common in business and tech talk.