Japanese word

身分

Pronunciation

Romajimibun

Meaning

  • nounstatus

Example

私は彼の身分を確認します。watashi wa kare no mi bun o kaku nin shi ma su

I will check his status.

Illustration for 身分 (status)

More examples

ホテルでは、身分を確認できる書類を見せます。ho te ru de wa mi bun o kaku nin de ki ru sho rui o mi se ma su

At the hotel, I show a document that confirms my status.

Core concept

Describes the social place and standing a person occupies within a group or system.

Common phrases

  • 身分を明かすmi bun o a ka su

    reveal one's status

  • 身分を隠すmi bun o kaku su

    hide one's status

  • 身分を証明するmi bun o shō mei su ru

    prove one's status

Similar words

地位chii: The social or organizational rank held by a person.
階級kaikyū: A recognized social class or level in a hierarchy.
位kurai: A person's place in a ranking based on social standing.

Definition in Japanese

社会や集団の中で認められている立場や地位。sha kai ya shū dan no naka de mito me ra re te i ru tachi ba ya chi i

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 身分 (mibun, "status") combines 身 (shin, "body") and 分 (bun, "part or share") to express a person's place within society.

Usage tips

  • In everyday English, status can also mean a current condition, as in health status, while 身分 (mibun) usually refers to a person's social standing.

Other meanings

  • ranknoun
  • positionnoun

Word lists with this word