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:

この箱の中身は何ですか？

Kono hako no nakami wa nan desu ka?

What is the content of this box?

What is the content of this box?

• この - demonstrative that indicates proximity, "this"
• 箱 - noun that means "box"
• の - particle that indicates possession, "da"
• 中身 - noun that means "content"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, "about"
• 何 - interrogative pronoun that means "what"
• ですか - expression that indicates a polite question, "what is it?"

主体は自分自身である。

Shutai wa jibun jishin de aru

The subject is himself.

The subject is yourself.

• 主体 (shutai) - subject, individual
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 自分 (jibun) - yourself, yourself
• 自身 (jishin) - yourself, yourself
• である (dearu) - ser, estar

内臓は身体の重要な部分です。

Naizou wa shintai no juuyou na bubun desu

Internal organs are an important part of the body.

Internal organs are important parts of the body.

• 内臓 - internal organs
• は - Topic particle
• 身体 - body
• の - Possession particle
• 重要な - important
• 部分 - part
• です - é (verb to be in the polite form)

刺身が大好きです。

Sashimi ga daisuki desu

Eu amo sashimi.

• 刺身 - sashimi, fatias finas de peixe cru
• が - subject particle
• 大好き - adora, ama muito
• です - verbo ser/estar no presente formal

刺身は美味しいです。

Sashimi wa oishii desu

Sashimi is delicious.

• 刺身 - sashimi, raw slices of fish or seafood
• は - Topic particle
• 美味しい - Delicious, tasty
• です - verb to be in the present, indicating affirmation or politeness

嫉妬は自分自身を苦しめるだけだ。

Shitto wa jibun jishin o kurushimeru dake da

O ciúme apenas se aflige.

• 嫉妬 (shitto) - inveja
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 自分自身 (jibun jishin) - To yourself
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 苦しめる (kurushimeru) - causar sofrimento
• だけ (dake) - apenas
• だ (da) - verb to be in the present

本人は自分自身を知ることが大切だ。

Honjin wa jibun jishin o shiru koto ga taisetsu da

It is important for a person to know themselves.

It is important for a person to know themselves.

• 本人 - means "myself" or "the person herself/himself".
• は - topic particle, which indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 自分自身 - means "oneself" or "the person themselves."
• を - direct object particle, which indicates the object of the action.
• 知る - verb that means "to know" or "to be aware".
• こと - noun that indicates an action or a fact.
• が - subject particle, which indicates who performs the action.
• 大切 - Adjective that means "important" or "valuable".
• だ - verb that indicates existence or identity.

疲れた身体を休めましょう。

Tsukareta karada wo yasumemashou

Let's rest the tired body.

Rest your tired body.

• 疲れた - cansado
• 身体 - body
• を - direct object particle
• 休めましょう - let's rest

皮を剥くと中身が出てくる。

Kawa wo muku to nakami ga dete kuru

When the skin peels off

When the skin is peeled, the contents come out.

• 皮 - means "shell" or "skin".
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 剥く - verb meaning "to peel" or "to shell".
• と - particle that indicates the connection between two things.
• 中身 - It means "content" or "interior."
• が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 出てくる - verb that means "to come out" or "to appear."

私の出身は東京です。

Watashi no shusshin wa Tokyo desu

Minha cidade natal é Tóquio.

Eu sou de Tóquio.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 出身 - substantivo que significa "local de origem"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 東京 - noun meaning "Tokyo"
• です - verb "to be" in the polite form