Japanese word

身元

Pronunciation

Romajimimoto

Meaning

  • nounidentity

Example

私は彼の身元を確認します。watashi wa kare no mi moto o kaku nin shi ma su

I will verify his identity.

Illustration for 身元 (identity)

More examples

面接では本人の身元を証明する書類が必要です。men setsu de wa hon nin no mi moto o shō mei su ru sho rui ga hitsu yō de su

You need documents that prove your identity at the interview.

Core concept

Refers to the information that establishes a person's identity and may also reveal their personal background.

Common phrases

  • 身元を証明するmi moto o shō mei su ru

    prove one's identity

  • 身元を調べるmi moto o shira be ru

    investigate someone's background

  • 身元を確認するmi moto o kaku nin su ru

    verify someone's identity

  • 身元を明かすmi moto o a ka su

    reveal one's identity

  • 身元を隠すmi moto o kaku su

    conceal one's identity

Similar words

素性sosei: The background, origins, or personal history of a person, especially when little is known about them.
正体shōtai: The true identity of a person, especially when it has been hidden or misunderstood.

Definition in Japanese

人の氏名や職業など、その人が何者であるかを明らかにする事柄。hito no shi mei ya shoku gyō na do so no hito ga nani mono de a ru ka o aki ra ka ni su ru koto gara

Word origin

身元 (mimoto) is a compound of 身 (mi, "body or self") and 元 (moto, "origin or base"), linking the person with the facts that identify them.

Usage tips

  • English identity can describe a personal sense of self or sameness, but 身元 (mimoto) usually points to verifiable facts about a particular person's identity or background.

Other meanings

  • backgroundnoun

Word lists with this word