受(う)け身(み)

うけみ

noun, na-adjective

passive; defensive; passive voice

abstract language sports

1. passive; defensive; reactive

A passive or defensive posture in which one reacts to others' actions rather than taking initiative.

彼(かれ)はいつも受(う)け身(み)だ。

He is always passive.

受(う)け身(み)の姿勢(しせい)ではなく、自分(じぶん)から行動(こうどう)しよう。

Don't be passive — take action yourself.

受(う)け身(み)でいると、チャンスを逃(のが)してしまう。

If you remain passive, you'll miss your chance.

2. passive voice (grammar)

The grammatical construction where the subject receives the action rather than performing it.

この文(ぶん)は受(う)け身(み)で書(か)かれている。

This sentence is written in the passive voice.

日本語(にほんご)の受(う)け身(み)には「迷惑(めいわく)の受(う)け身(み)」がある。

Japanese passive has a 'suffering passive' form.

受(う)け身(み)の作(つく)り方(かた)を練習(れんしゅう)しましょう。

Let's practice how to form the passive voice.

3. breakfall (martial arts)

A technique in judo and other martial arts for falling safely to avoid injury.

柔道(じゅうどう)ではまず受(う)け身(み)を習(なら)う。

In judo, you first learn breakfalls.

受(う)け身(み)がうまくできないと、怪我(けが)をする。

If you can't do breakfalls well, you'll get hurt.

後(うし)ろ受(う)け身(み)と横(よこ)受(う)け身(み)を繰(く)り返(かえ)し練習(れんしゅう)した。

I practiced back breakfalls and side breakfalls repeatedly.

A compound of 受(う)ける (to receive) and 身(み) (body, self). Literally "receiving body" — the posture of receiving rather than initiating.

Usage

The most common everyday usage is sense 1 (passive attitude). For language learners, sense 2 (passive voice) appears frequently in textbooks. Sense 3 (breakfall) is specific to martial arts but well known in Japan.

Common collocations

受(う)け身(み)の姿勢(しせい) — passive attitude/stance
受(う)け身(み)的(てき) — passive (as a modifier)
受(う)け身(み)を取(と)る — to take a breakfall (martial arts)
迷惑(めいわく)の受(う)け身(み) — suffering passive (grammar)

Similar words

消極的(しょうきょくてき) — passive, negative; similar to sense 1 but broader
能動(のうどう) — active; the opposite in grammar (能動態(のうどうたい) = active voice)
積極的(せっきょくてき) — proactive; the attitudinal opposite

Related Words

Compare: 消極的(しょうきょくてき) (passive, negative)

Compare: 能動(のうどう) (active)

Compare: 積極的(せっきょくてき) (proactive)

Compare: 守勢(しゅせい) (defensive)

Related: 受動態(じゅどうたい) (passive voice (grammar))

general

Added 2026.3.26 20:47 · Revised 2026.10.5 11:11

19500/19674_ukemi