Japanese meaning of 明日は我が身
Reading:
あすはわがみ (asu wa wagami)
English Translation:
There but for the grace of God go I
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
What happens to others could happen to me.
Cultural Context:
Used in disaster awareness, traffic safety, and health messaging in Japan.
他人の不幸は明日の自分にも起こり得るという意味。
防災・交通安全・健康啓発で用いられる標語的表現。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• 明日は = “as for tomorrow” (noun + topic particle)
• 我が身 = “one’s own body/self” (noun phrase)
Structure indicating that misfortune could befall oneself next.
Trap for English Speakers
Might be taken as actually about tomorrow’s schedule; it warns that others’ misfortunes could be yours next.
Example
Basic Example
他人の不幸は明日は我が身かもしれない。
Another’s misfortune could happen to oneself—there but for the grace of God go I.
Applied Example
あの選手が怪我で離脱…明日は我が身だな。
That star player’s injury… there but for the grace of God go I.