 Names are used to talk about various shí 實 (stuff, things, objects, reality). ‘Shí’ can be interpreted as roughly “stuff” or “solid” and has the connotation of “real” and “full.” Shí has a semantic range similar to, but broader than, the English ‘thing’, ‘object’, or ‘stuff’. It may refer to physical objects, conduct, events, or situations. It is also used to refer to “the facts,” the reality or genuine character of something, and the actual conduct or ability that matches or warrants a  reputation.[8]  According to ancient Chinese beliefs about nature, everything in the cosmos consists of a dynamic, flowing elemental stuff called qì 氣 (breath or vapor). When used to refer to objects, shí in effect refers to regions where qì has condensed and thickened to fill out space and form a solid. The use to refer to “reality” or “the facts” seems to be an extension of this use; in both cases, shí refers to what is really, solidly there. 