Japanese word

身

Pronunciation

Romajimi

Meaning

  • nounoneself

Example

私は身を守ります。watashi wa mi o mamo ri ma su

I protect myself.

Illustration for 身 (oneself)

More examples

危険を感じたら、すぐに身を隠します。ki ken o kan ji ta ra su gu ni mi o kaku shi ma su

If I sense danger, I hide myself immediately.

Core concept

Centers on the person or physical self as the thing directly involved or protected.

Common phrases

  • 身を守るmi o mamo ru

    protect oneself

  • 身を隠すmi o kaku su

    hide oneself

  • 身を案じるmi o an ji ru

    worry about one's safety

Similar words

自分jibun: The person being referred to, including the speaker or another person.
自身jishin: The person in question viewed as the self, often with emphasis.

Definition in Japanese

自分自身やその肉体。ji bun ji shin ya so no niku tai

Word origin

身 (mi) is a native Japanese noun whose basic sense is the physical body and whose use extends to the self.

Usage tips

  • The common expression 身につける (mi ni tsukeru) extends the idea of the body to skills and knowledge that become part of a person.

Other meanings

  • bodynoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word