遺体(いたい)

A compound of 遺(い) (left behind, bequeathed) and 体(たい) (body). The kanji 遺(い) carries the nuance of something left behind by the deceased.

Common collocations

• 遺体(いたい)が発見(はっけん)される (a body is found)
• 遺体(いたい)を収容(しゅうよう)する (to recover a body)
• 遺体(いたい)を引(ひ)き取(と)る (to claim/receive a body)
• 遺体(いたい)安置所(あんちじょ) (morgue)
• 身元(みもと)不明(ふめい)の遺体(いたい) (unidentified body)

More respectful than 死体(したい), which is a neutral or clinical term for a dead body. 遺体(いたい) is the standard term used in news reports and official communications when referring to the deceased, as it acknowledges the person behind the body. 死体(したい) is used more in forensic, legal, or detached contexts.