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身を捨てる (みをすてる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

身みを捨すてる

み

を

す

て

る

Meanings

1

expression, ichidan verb

throw away one's life; sacrifice oneself

Idiomatic expression meaning to give up one's life, often for a cause or in a self-sacrificing manner. Can be used literally or figuratively.

彼かれは国くにのために身みを捨すてる覚かく悟ごだった。
He was prepared to sacrifice his life for his country.
身みを捨すててこそ浮うかぶ

瀬せ

も

あれ

。

Sometimes you have to risk everything to find a way out.

Kanji

身somebody, person, one's station in life
捨discard, throw away, abandon

Similar words

命いのちを捨すてる
More literal 'throw away one's life'; 身を捨てる is more idiomatic and often implies self-sacrifice for a greater purpose.
自じ己こ犠ぎ牲せい
Noun meaning 'self-sacrifice'; 身を捨てる is the verbal expression of that concept.

Etymology

Compound of 身 (body, oneself) + を (object marker) + 捨てる (throw away). The exact origin is uncertain, but it has been used idiomatically since at least the Edo period.