expression, noun
life story; personal narrative
Refers to a story about one's own life, often shared in a personal or confessional context. Commonly used in phrases like 身の上話をする.
彼は酒を飲みながら、身の上話を始めた。
He started telling his life story over a drink.
自分語り is more casual and often implies a self-centered or lengthy monologue, while 身の上話 is a neutral term for a personal life story.
Compound of 身の上 (one's circumstances or life) and 話 (story). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the components are transparent.