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How to say 'Instinct' in Japanese | 本能

Wondering how to say 'Instinct' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for Instinct is 'Honnou', written as 本能 in Japanese.'Instinct' in hiragana is ほんのう.

    word

    本能

    Meaning

    Instinct

    Reading

    ほんのう

    honnou

    Kanji

    本Book, Origin 能Ability

    Explanation

    The Japanese noun '本能 (ほんのう)' means 'instinct'. It refers to the innate, automatic behaviors or reactions that living beings have, which are not learned but rather inherent. This word is often used in contexts related to biology, psychology, or everyday situations where natural, unthinking actions are described. For example: Animals act by instinct「動物は本能で行動する」(どうぶつはほんのうでこうどうする). His instinct told him to run「彼の本能は逃げろと言った」(かれのほんのうはにげろといった). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe strong, natural impulses in humans, such as survival instinct or maternal instinct.

    Part Of Speech

    noun

    Kanji JLPT

    N3

    Kanji Grade

    5

    Frequency

    5120

    Composition

    kanji

    Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 本能

This word contains 2 kanji characters:

  • kanji

    本

    Meaning

    Book, Origin

  • kanji

    能

    Meaning

    Ability

Words Related to 本能 Through the Kanji 本

These 35 Words contain the Kanji 本 as well.

  • word

    日本

    Meaning

    Japan

  • word

    本

    Meaning

    Book

  • word

    本当

    Meaning

    Truth

  • word

    本当に

    Meaning

    Really

  • word

    基本

    Meaning

    Basis

  • word

    本屋

    Meaning

    Bookstore

  • word

    資本

    Meaning

    Capital

  • word

    本人

    Meaning

    Person

  • word

    本棚

    Meaning

    Bookshelf

  • word

    本箱

    Meaning

    Bookshelf

  • word

    本質

    Meaning

    Essence

  • word

    本書

    Meaning

    This book

  • word

    本の

    Meaning

    Mere

  • word

    本部

    Meaning

    Headquarters

  • word

    根本

    Meaning

    Root, Basis

  • word

    本物

    Meaning

    Real, Genuine

  • word

    本格

    Meaning

    Genuine

  • word

    資本主義

    Meaning

    Capitalism

  • word

    本社

    Meaning

    Headquarters

  • word

    本来

    Meaning

    Originally

  • word

    本年

    Meaning

    This year

  • word

    本日

    Meaning

    Today

  • word

    手本

    Meaning

    Example, Model

  • word

    本気

    Meaning

    Serious

  • word

    見本

    Meaning

    Example, Sample

  • word

    本国

    Meaning

    Home country

  • word

    本店

    Meaning

    Main store

  • word

    古本

    Meaning

    Used book

  • word

    本文

    Meaning

    Main text

  • word

    本音

    Meaning

    True feelings

  • word

    本格的

    Meaning

    Genuine

  • word

    日本酒

    Meaning

    Sake

  • word

    本願

    Meaning

    Vow

  • word

    絵本

    Meaning

    Picture book

  • word

    本体

    Meaning

    Main body

Words Related to 本能 Through the Kanji 能

These 13 Words contain the Kanji 能 as well.

  • word

    可能

    Meaning

    Possible

  • word

    能力

    Meaning

    Ability

  • word

    機能

    Meaning

    Function

  • word

    芸能

    Meaning

    Entertainment

  • word

    才能

    Meaning

    Talent

  • word

    性能

    Meaning

    Performance

  • word

    能

    Meaning

    Ability

  • word

    有能

    Meaning

    Capable

  • word

    知能

    Meaning

    Intelligence

  • word

    無能

    Meaning

    Incompetent

  • word

    不可能

    Meaning

    Impossible

  • word

    能率

    Meaning

    Efficiency

  • word

    放射能

    Meaning

    Radiation

Learn the Word 本能

Let's make sure you fully understand this word.

What does 'Honnou' (本能) mean?

'Honnou' means 'Instinct' .

To help you master this word, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.