Meaning
身份 refers to a person's identity, social status, or the capacity in which they act. It encompasses both legal identity (like citizenship or ID) and social roles (like one's position in society or an organization). The word is commonly used when discussing who someone is, what role they play, or their standing in society.
Usage
Native speakers use 身份 frequently in both formal and informal contexts. It appears often in phrases like 身份证 (ID card) and when discussing someone's role or qualifications. The word can refer to official identity documentation, social class, professional capacity, or one's position when representing others. It's neutral in register and appropriate for all situations.
Examples
- 01请出示您的身份证。.Please show your ID card.
- 02他以律师的身份出席了会议。.He attended the meeting in the capacity of a lawyer.
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个身份
Common collocations
- 身份证ID card, identity card
- 确认身份to verify identity
- 隐瞒身份to conceal one's identity
- 以...的身份...in the capacity of...
Origin
身份 literally combines 'body/self' (身) with 'portion/share' (份), originally suggesting one's 'portion' or 'place' in society based on who they are as a person.