one's body; one's person
Refers to the physical body, often with a sense of personal possession or involvement. Common in set phrases like 身を守る (protect oneself) or 身に着ける (wear/learn).
I learned martial arts to protect myself.
He protected the child's body without regard for his own safety.
My body shivers from the cold.
Extends to one's whole self, including appearance, circumstances, or personal affairs. Often used in expressions like 身の上 (one's personal history) or 身だしなみ (personal grooming).
Please tell me about yourself (your life story).
He always takes care of his appearance.
one's place (in society); one's position
Refers to social standing, status, or role. Common in phrases like 身分 (social status) or 身の程を知る (know one's place).
That remark shows you don't know your place.
He was born into a family of high social standing.
main part; flesh (as opposed to bone/skin); wood (as opposed to bark); blade (as opposed to handle); container (as opposed to lid)
Used to refer to the substantive or essential part of something, often in contrast to its covering, handle, or accessory. The specific meaning depends on context (meat, wood, blade, container).
Remove the flesh of the fish from the bones.
This knife has a good balance between the blade and the handle.
He lived deep in the mountains to hide himself.
As I kept practicing, the skill became second nature to me.
He worked himself to the bone.
He learned its importance through his own experience.
I took out the meat of the shellfish and ate it.
Walking alone at night, I felt my safety was at risk.
自分 is the common reflexive pronoun for 'oneself', whereas 身 conveys the same idea in more formal or set expressions like 身の上 or 身を立てる.
身 refers to a person's body or self, often with a social or personal nuance, while 肉 emphasizes the physical substance of flesh.
身 (み) means 'body/oneself', while 実 (み) is the identical-sounding word for 'fruit, seed, or contents', so the kanji must be chosen by meaning, not sound.
contents; inside; filling · substance; real content · sword blade
social standing; status; rank · identity; birth; origin · one's circumstances; one's means
close to oneself; familiar; nearby
relatives; family members; one's own family · one's own people; insiders; close associates · followers; underlings; henchmen · one's whole body
sashimi; raw sliced fish
Standard kanji spelling; high-frequency word.
The kanji 身 pictographically represents a person with a prominent belly, originally meaning 'body' or 'pregnant'. The reading み is native Japanese.
living flesh; flesh and blood; living human body · raw flesh; raw meat; raw fish
narrow blade; slender blade · slender; thin; slim
ransom
selfish; self-centered; egotistical
the defensive; being on the defensive · passive attitude; passivity · passive voice; the passive · ukemi; breakfall; art of falling safely
invulnerability; immortality; insensitivity to pain
egg white · white-fleshed fish; white meat; fatty meat · sapwood
red flesh (fish); red-fleshed fish; lean meat · heartwood
agile; nimble; light on one's feet · light; unencumbered; casual · carefree; unburdened; with few responsibilities
egg yolk
unmarried person; single person; bachelorhood; spinsterhood · living alone; person who lives alone; living apart from family
close relative; blood relation · kind; cordial; warm
personal appearance; grooming · essential skill; required knowledge
dress; attire; personal appearance
risking one's life; all-out effort; desperate act
shoulders and body; one's physical frame · honor; prestige; face
posture; stance; attitude
slice; fillet; cut piece
fatty meat; fat on meat
gesture; gesticulation; body language
body; one's person