JLPT:N3
Frequency:
1

One's body or physical person; the physical self.

Noun

Examples

怪我をしたらまず身を休めることが大切だ。

If you get injured, it's important to rest your body first.

危険を感じたので、とっさに身を引いた。

Feeling danger, I instinctively pulled back my body.

寒さで身が縮むように感じた。

I felt as if my body was shrinking from the cold.

2

Oneself, one's person or appearance; used in expressions about personal appearance or the things around oneself.

Noun

Examples

面接では身だしなみに気をつけ、身を正して臨んだ。

I paid attention to my appearance for the interview and approached it properly.

一人暮らしを始めて、身の回りのことは自分でやるようになった。

After starting to live alone, I began to take care of my personal matters by myself.

自分の身を守る方法を学ぶことは重要だ。

Learning how to protect yourself is important.

3

One's place or position in society; the role or station one occupies (often used in phrases like '身を置く').

Noun

Examples

彼は田舎で身を立てるために都会へ出て行った。

He went to the city to make a living and establish himself.

職場に自分がどんな身であるかをわきまえることも大切だ。

It's also important to be aware of your position at work.

その場では身の置き所がなく、早めに退席した。

I felt out of place there, so I left early.

4

The main part or flesh of something (as opposed to bone, bark, or handle) — e.g., the flesh of a fish, the heartwood of a tree.

Noun

Examples

焼き魚の身をほぐしてご飯にのせた。

I flaked the grilled fish flesh and put it on the rice.

古い木材でも、木の身はしっかりしていることがある。

Even with old timber, the heartwood can sometimes be solid.

Word Relationships

Synonyms