Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
挺身 (ていしん) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Freq. Frequency Top 100,000 Conjugation Meanings 1
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
volunteering ; offering oneself ; stepping forward
Formal, often used for volunteering for a cause, duty, or public service. Implies proactive self-sacrifice or taking initiative. Common in phrases like 挺身する and 挺身隊.
わか
者もの
が
国くに
の
ため
に
挺てい
身しん
し
た
。
Many young people offered themselves for the country.
Kanji 挺 bravely volunteer, counter for guns, inksticks, palanquins, rickshaws 身 somebody, person, one's station in life Similar words 志し 願がん 志願 is a general term for volunteering or applying, while 挺身 emphasizes physically stepping forward and often implies a noble or self-sacrificing cause.
奉ほう 仕し 奉仕 focuses on service or serving others, often without the proactive 'stepping forward' nuance of 挺身.
Etymology From 挺 (to stand out, to lead) and 身 (body, oneself). The combination suggests putting one's body forward, i.e., volunteering or stepping up.