身(み)の丈(たけ)

みのたけ
noun
one's height; one's means; one's capacity
size
1. one's height; body stature
A person's physical height or body size.
身(み)の丈(たけ)ほどの大(おお)きな荷物(にもつ)を抱(かか)えていた。
He was carrying a package as tall as himself.
身(み)の丈(たけ)を超(こ)えるほどの雪(ゆき)が積(つ)もった。
Snow piled up higher than a person's height.
彼(かれ)は身(み)の丈(たけ)ほどもある刀(かたな)を背負(せお)っていた。
He was carrying a sword on his back that was as long as he was tall.
2. one's means; one's capacity; what is within one's reach
One's actual ability, financial means, or social standing. Used figuratively to talk about living or acting within one's realistic limits.
身(み)の丈(たけ)に合(あ)った生活(せいかつ)をする。
To live within one's means.
身(み)の丈(たけ)に合(あ)わない買(か)い物(もの)はしないようにしている。
I try not to make purchases beyond my means.
無理(むり)をせず、身(み)の丈(たけ)に合(あ)った目標(もくひょう)を立(た)てることが大切(たいせつ)だ。
It's important to set realistic goals that match your capacity rather than overextending yourself.

Compound of 身(み) (body) + の (possessive) + 丈(たけ) (height, length). The figurative sense 2 is very common in everyday conversation and advice.

The expression 身(み)の丈(たけ)に合(あ)った (suited to one's means/capacity) is one of the most frequently used collocations, often appearing in financial advice, lifestyle discussions, and self-improvement contexts.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 身長(しんちょう): height (physical measurement, more precise)
  • 分相応(ぶんそうおう): befitting one's station (more formal, literary)

Related Words

Compare: 身長(しんちょう) (height)
general
Added 2026.2.28 18:26 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
14000/14287_minotake