出身

• Reading: しゅっしん
• Romaji: shusshin
• Kanji breakdown: 出 (shutsu) — exit, come out; 身 (shin) — body, self
• Pronunciation: /ɕɯs.ɕiɴ/

Meaning

Origin; birthplace; come from. Indicates where someone is from or what school they attended.

A noun used to express where a person originates, whether a geographical location or an institution (school, university, company). One of the most common self-introduction words in Japanese. Typically used with the particle の or in the pattern ～出身です. Can refer to hometown, home country, or alma mater.

Examples

1. 私は北海道出身です。 I'm from Hokkaido.
2. 彼女は東京大学出身の研究者だ。 She's a researcher who graduated from the University of Tokyo.
3. ご出身はどちらですか。 Where are you from?

Usage Guide

Context: self-introduction, daily conversation, interviews

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 出 (exit, come out) and 身 (body, self). The literal sense is 'the body coming from,' meaning one's origin or background.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal