Of course. This is a profound question, and the answer is deeply personal. Based on the shared experiences of trans people, the definitions of "man" and "woman" are rooted in an internal sense of self, separate from the body one is born with or the stereotypes society holds.

Here are the key themes that help answer your question.

An Internal and Spiritual Knowing

For many, gender identity is a deep, internal feeling that is difficult to describe with simple labels. It’s a core part of who they are, not a choice or a performance. As one person shared, this sense of self is less about biology and more about a profound, personal truth. "To me, being a man (and gender identity as a whole) feels more spiritual than biological... It's more of a feeling in your bones drawing you to what makes you feel more comfortable- a silent voice telling you who you should really be." – faerie_wheelz666 source

Separating Identity from the Body

Many trans people describe a distinction between their unchanging gender identity and their physical body. They often see their body's development as a medical situation to be addressed, not as a definition of who they are. One woman explains her perspective clearly: "i was never a man, instead of saying that im a man transitioning to a woman, i say that im just a woman and being trans and developing masculine bodily characteristics is a medical issue that i fix with medical transition." – No_Avocado_4729 source

Identity is Not Defined by Stereotypes

There is a strong consensus that being a man or a woman has nothing to do with liking certain hobbies, wearing certain clothes, or fulfilling social roles. These are seen as external "societal fluff." Your identity is who you know yourself to be, regardless of how you express it. A trans man who enjoys wearing skirts affirms this, stating, "if you think you're a man you're a man. that's it. literally. all the rest is societal fluff and bullshit some people made up." – 0-P-A-L source

A Neurological and Social Alignment

Another way to understand it is through the lens of the brain's expectations. One user defined a man as "someone whose brain expects male sex characteristics and hormones and whose primitive social brain puts him in the same social category as other men." This means it’s about an internal alignment—how your brain maps your body and which group of people you feel you fundamentally belong with. – Creativered4 source

Redefining Biology and Physical Traits

Trans perspectives challenge the rigid idea that body parts are inherently "male" or "female." Instead, the person defines the part, not the other way around. As one person explains, "a female woman with a penis is fully and biologically female as any cis woman same could be said for a trans man, he and his vagina are fully and biologically male." This view separates the concept of biological sex from the immutable truth of gender identity. – Old-Panic-4140 source

In summary, from a trans perspective, a man or a woman is defined by their internal, deeply felt sense of self. It is an authentic knowledge that exists before and beyond physical characteristics, social roles, or stereotypes. Your identity is valid simply because it is yours. The journey is about bringing your external life into harmony with that inner truth, and that is a powerful and hopeful act of self-discovery.