身に余る

mi ni amaru
ja
en
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more than I deserve, an undeserved honour, beyond my ability, too much to bear
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/mi ni amaɾɯ/
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+1
Beyond what one feels entitled or able to receive or bear.
Practice using 身に余る in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • 皆様の評価は身に余るものです。
    Everyone’s praise is more than I deserve.
  • 新人の私には身に余る大役だ。
    For a newcomer like me, it is a role beyond my ability.
  • この仕事はまだ私には身に余ると感じる。
    I still feel this job is beyond my ability.
  • その役職を頂くのは身に余る喜びです。
    Being given that position is an undeserved honour.
  • 一人で全員を支えるのは身に余る責任だった。
    Supporting everyone alone was a responsibility too much to bear.

Similar words

重すぎる
身に過ぎる
荷が重い
手に余る
もったいない
過分

Meanings

Undeservedly generous honour

social
formal
Praise, kindness, or honour so generous that the recipient feels unworthy of it.

Examples

  • 身に余るお言葉をいただき、恐縮です。
    Your kind words are more than I deserve; I am humbled.
  • この賞は私には身に余る光栄です。
    This award is an honour beyond what I deserve.
  • 皆様の評価は身に余るものです。
    Everyone’s praise is more than I deserve.
  • 身に余るご厚意に深く感謝します。
    I am deeply grateful for kindness greater than I deserve.
  • その役職を頂くのは身に余る喜びです。
    Being given that position is an undeserved honour.

Similar words

身に過ぎる
過分
もったいない

Too great a responsibility

responsibility
formal
A task or responsibility too heavy for someone’s ability or circumstances.

Examples

  • 新人の私には身に余る大役だ。
    For a newcomer like me, it is a role beyond my ability.
  • 一人で全員を支えるのは身に余る責任だった。
    Supporting everyone alone was a responsibility too much to bear.
  • 彼は身に余る任務を任され、眠れなくなった。
    He was given a task beyond his capacity and could not sleep.
  • この仕事はまだ私には身に余ると感じる。
    I still feel this job is beyond my ability.
  • 経験の浅い人には身に余る負担をかけてはいけない。
    Do not give an inexperienced person a burden too much to bear.

Similar words

荷が重い
手に余る
重すぎる

Etymology

Literally “exceeding one’s person”: 身 is oneself, and 余る means to go beyond what can be held.

FAQ

What does 身に余る mean?

Beyond what one feels entitled or able to receive or bear.

How do you read 身に余る?

It is read みにあまる, written mi ni amaru.

When would you use 身に余る?

The first sense is a humble response to praise; the second can seriously signal that a duty is too much.

How is 身に余る different from 痛み入る?

痛み入る describes the feeling of deep gratitude; this judges the honour or burden as exceeding what one merits or can carry.

How does 身に余る change in a sentence?

A fixed phrase that commonly modifies 「お言葉」「光栄」「大役」 or 「責任」.

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