身元

• Reading: みもと
• Romaji: mimoto
• Kanji breakdown: 身 (mi) — body, self, person; 元 (moto) — origin, source, base
• Pronunciation: /mi.mo.to/

Meaning

Identity; background; personal origins. Information about who someone is and where they come from.

A noun used in both everyday and official contexts. In police and news reports, 身元確認 (mimoto kakunin, identity verification) and 身元不明 (mimoto fumei, unidentified) are common phrases. In employment, 身元保証人 (mimoto hoshounin, personal guarantor) may be required. The word encompasses not just name but also family background, hometown, and personal history.

Examples

1. 事故の被害者の身元が判明した。 The identity of the accident victim has been identified.
2. 就職の際に身元保証人が必要だった。 A personal guarantor was required when I started my job.
3. 身元がはっきりしない人物には注意すべきだ。 You should be careful around people whose background is unclear.

Usage Guide

Context: police, employment, news

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From Japanese: 身 (mi, body/self) + 元 (moto, origin/source). Literally 'the origin of one's person' — the background and identity of an individual.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal