Translation and Meaning of: 身 - mi

Etymology and meaning of the Kanji 「身」

The kanji 「身」 is used to represent the idea of "body," "myself," or "own." The etymology of this kanji dates back to ancient Chinese pictographic characters, which depicted the shape of a human body. In primitive times, it was common for characters to be created based on direct images of what they represented, and the kanji 「身」 is no exception to this rule.

Composed of seven strokes, 「身」 also carries figurative meanings, such as "state" or "social position." It is a kanji that encompasses a variety of uses in the Japanese language. It has two main component radicals: 「尸」 (which refers to "body") and a curved stroke representing a line of vital energy or force. This combination provides a rich historical basis for the kanji, symbolizing the human body as something full of vitality.

Variations and Linguistic Use of 「身」

In the modern context, 「身」 can appear in various expressions and compound words, further enriching its meaning and applicability. Here are some of the most common variations in the use of the kanji 「身」:

• 「自身」(jishin): meaning "own", frequently used to indicate possession or self-affirmation.
• 「出身」(shusshin): which refers to "origin" or "place of birth", is a common way of asking where a person is from.
• 「全身」(zenshin): translates to "whole body," used to describe something complete or total.

These variations illustrate how 「身」 is a fundamental piece in the construction of thought and the Japanese language, symbolizing both physicality and more abstract aspects of identity and status.

Cultural and Historical Origin of 「身」

Historically, throughout the dynasties in China, the concept of the body, embodied in the kanji 「身」, was closely tied to ideas of health, social status, and moral purity. In Japanese society, this perspective was integrated in a way that reflected not only individual perceptions of oneself but also the role of the individual within the collective and society as a whole.

Furthermore, in the Japanese tradition, body expression was often associated with codes of conduct, such as the discipline of the samurai, where the care for the body and mind were seen as one. Thus, the meaning of the kanji 「身」 transcended its mere graphic representation, becoming an essential part of Japan's cultural and linguistic identity.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 体 (Tai) - Corpo
• 肉体 (Nikutai) - Physical body, the material form of the body
• 身体 (Shintai) - Body, in a broader sense, possibly including spiritual aspects
• 姿 (Sugata) - Form, figure, external appearance
• 容姿 (Yōshi) - Appearance, especially external beauty
• 姿勢 (Shisei) - Posture, way of presenting oneself
• 様子 (Yōsu) - State, condition, general appearance of something or someone
• 格好 (Kakkō) - Form, way of dressing, style
• 身体的 (Shintaiteki) - Related to the body, physical
• 身体能力 (Shintainōryoku) - Physical ability, body skills

身

Romaji: mi
Kana: み
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: body; main part; To yourself; sword

Meaning in English: body;main part;oneself;sword

Definition: own existence and appearance.

Example Sentences - (身) mi

See below some example sentences:

身の回りの世話をする。

Mino mawari no sewa wo suru

Take care of things around yourself.

Cuide-se.

• 身の回り - It refers to things related to the body, such as clothes, personal hygiene, etc.
• の - Particle that indicates possession or relationship.
• 世話 - Care, attention, assistance.
• を - Particle that indicates the object of the action.
• する - Verb that means "to do" or "to make".

身振りで意思疎通する。

Miburui de ishi sotsu suru

Communicate through body language.

Communicate with gestures.

• 身振り (mifuri) - body gestures
• で (de) - particle that indicates means or instrument
• 意思疎通 (ishisotsu) - communication of ideas or thoughts
• する (suru) - verb indicating action, in this case "to do"

心身一如

shinshin ichinyo

body and mind are one.

as the same as

• 心 (kokoro) - means "heart" or "mind"
• 身 (mi) - means "body"
• 一如 (ichinyo) - means "unity" or "equality"

身体が伸びると気持ちが良いです。

Karada ga nobiru to kimochi ga ii desu

It's good to feel the body stretching.

It's good when your body grows.

• 身体が伸びる - the body stretches
• と - connects the previous sentence with the next
• 気持ちが良い - is nice
• です - is

身近な人たちは私の支えです。

Mijikai na hitotachi wa watashi no sasae desu

The close people are my support.

People close to me are my support.

• 身近な人たち - close people
• は - Topic particle
• 私の - meu
• 支え - Apoio, suporte
• です - is

血液は身体の中で重要な役割を果たしています。

Ketsueki wa karada no naka de juuyou na yakuwari o hatashite imasu

Blood plays an important role in the body.

Blood plays an important role in the body.

• 血液 (ketsueki) - blood
• 身体 (shintai) - body
• 重要 (juuyou) - important
• 役割 (yakuwari) - role/function
• 果たす (hatasu) - perform/fulfill
• しています (shiteimasu) - Is doing

私は受身の姿勢を取ります。

Watashi wa ukemi no shisei o torimasu

I assume the reception stance.

I take a passive posture.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 受身 (ukemi) - noun meaning "defensive position" or "receiving position"
• の (no) - particle that indicates the relationship of possession or attribution, in this case, "of the defensive position"
• 姿勢 (shisei) - noun meaning "posture" or "attitude"
• を (wo) - particle indicating the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "adopt"
• 取ります (torimasu) - verb meaning "to adopt" or "to take over"

幸福は自分自身で作り出すものです。

Koufuku wa jibun jishin de tsukuridasu mono desu

Happiness is something we create for ourselves.

Happiness is created by you.

• 幸福 - felicidade
• は - Topic particle
• 自分自身 - To yourself
• で - Location particle
• 作り出す - Create, produce
• もの - thing
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

全身が疲れている。

Zenshin ga tsukarete iru

I'm tired all over.

My whole body is tired.

• 全身 - means "the whole body"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 疲れている - it is a verb that means "to be tired"

ダウンジャケットを着て寒さから身を守りましょう。

Daun jaketto wo kite samusa kara mi wo mamorimashou

Let's wear a jacket to protect ourselves from the cold.

Wear a jacket and protect yourself from the cold.

• ダウンジャケット - Down jacket
• を - Direct object particle
• 着て - Verb "to dress" in the gerund
• 寒さ - Frio
• から - origin particle
• 身を守りましょう - Proteja-se