身の程を知れ
minohodo o shire
The English phrase "know your place" is translated into Japanese as 身の程を知れ (minohodo o shire).
This expression is often used in dramatic contexts, such as anime or fiction, to assert dominance or to tell someone they are being overly ambitious or disrespectful.
Meaning: verb (intj)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
身の程を知れ is highly aggressive and is used to insult or reprimand someone for overstepping their bounds. For a formal way to say "Know your own limits/class," you can use あなたの身の程をわきまえなさい. In an informal context, you might use お前は自分の立場をわかってるのか? to ask "Do you understand your own position?" or 身の程を弁えろよ to say "Recognize your own limits/class".
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 知れ (shire) is in the imperative (command) form, which makes the phrase a forceful and blunt order.
How do you pronounce it?
minohodo o shire
Did you know?
- Using the imperative form 知れ (shire) is so forceful that it is rarely heard in real-life Japanese social interactions. It is a linguistic tool almost exclusively reserved for highly stylized 'villain' characters in manga or intense historical dramas.
- The word 身の程 (minohodo) is composed of 'body' and 'extent', literally describing the physical boundaries or 'reach' of one's existence. It implies that a person has wandered beyond the physical and social space they are entitled to occupy.
- Japanese has a specific concept called 空気をおよむ (kūki o yomu), meaning 'reading the air'. Failing to 'read the air' is often the social trigger that leads someone to tell another person to 身の程を知れ.
Examples in context
- 身の程を知れ。Know your place.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase 身の程を知れ.Tatoeba #144749 by small_snow, translation #10221927 by terrywallwork
- 上司: 君たちにはまだ経験が足りないんだよ。自分の立場をわきまえろ。You still lack experience. Know your place.
- 先生: 生徒は教師に対して敬意をもたなければならない。あなたの身の程をわきまえなさい。Students must respect teachers. Know your place.
- 友達A: いつも上から目線だな。 友達B: お前は自分の立場をわかってるのか？You always act superior. Do you understand your own position?
- 兄: 俺のことをバカにするなよ。 弟: 身の程を弁えろよ。Don't make fun of me. Recognize your own limits.
- そんな生意気な態度は、身の程を知れと言われているようなものだ。Sonna namaiki na taido wa, mi no hodo o shire to iwarete iru you na mono da.That insolent attitude is as if someone were telling you to know your place.
Example conversation
A heated argument between two rivals.
- 美咲 Misaki私があなたより上よ。watashi ga anata yori ue yo.I am superior to you.
- 健太 Kentaいい気になるな。身の程を知れ。ii ki ni naru na. mi no hodo o shire.Don't get cocky. Know your place.
- 美咲 Misakiふん、笑わせないで。hun, warawasenaide.Hmph, don't make me laugh.
- 健太 Kenta現実を見ろ。genjitsu o miro.Face reality.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
