adjective
physical, bodily
B1
Körperlich means 'physical' or 'bodily', describing the body, sensations, actions, or concrete physical effects (not mental or emotional). It’s gradable (körperlicher, am körperlichsten) and contrasts with geistig/seelisch. Common in medical and everyday contexts; used attributively. No special prepositions or auxiliary verbs.
Examples
Bei körperlichen Untersuchungen wird die Gesundheit genau geprüft.
During physical examinations health is checked carefully.
Nach dem Training spürte er körperliche Erschöpfung.
After the workout he felt physical exhaustion.
Die Teilnehmer wurden körperlich so erschöpft, dass sie eine Pause brauchten, weil das Training sehr intensiv war.
The participants became physically so exhausted that they needed a break because the training was very intense.
Details
Mnemonics
Visualize muscles or the human body to recall 'körperlich' = physical.
Think 'body' (Körper) + '-lich' like '-ly' — relates to the body.
Notes
Körperlich describes things related to the body or physical aspects; can be used both literally (physical pain) and figuratively (physical evidence).