我が身
わ
が
み
Meanings
2
archaic
Archaic first-person pronoun; not used in modern Japanese outside historical or literary contexts.
In classical Japanese, 我が身 is sometimes used as a first-person pronoun.
3
archaicfamiliar language
Archaic and familiar second-person pronoun used when addressing someone of lower status; extremely rare in modern language.
In period dramas, there are scenes where a superior addresses an inferior as 我が身.
Expressions
- 我が身を恨むblame oneself; regret one's own circumstances
- 我が身可愛さself-preservation; looking out for oneself; putting one's own safety first
- 明日は我が身what happens to one today may happen to another tomorrow; misfortunes can happen to anyone
- 今日は人の身明日は我が身misfortunes can happen to anyone; what happens to one today may happen to another tomorrow
- 我が身をつねって人の痛さを知れpinch yourself and know others' pain; walk a mile in someone else's shoes