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How to say 'True feelings' in Japanese | 本音

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

The Japanese word for True feelings is 'Honne', written as 本音 in Japanese.'True feelings' in hiragana is ほんね.

    word

    本音

    Meaning

    True feelings

    Reading

    ほんね

    honne

    Kanji

    本Book, Origin 音Sound

    Explanation

    The Japanese noun '本音 (ほんね)' refers to a person's true feelings or real intentions, as opposed to what they might say or show outwardly. It is often used in contrast to '建前 (たてまえ)', which refers to the facade or socially acceptable stance one might present. For example: He finally revealed his true feelings「彼はついに本音を言った」(かれはついにほんねをいった). It's hard to tell her true feelings「彼女の本音はわかりにくい」(かのじょのほんねはわかりにくい). The concept of '本音' is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, where maintaining harmony and avoiding conflict often leads to a distinction between what is said and what is truly felt.

    Part Of Speech

    noun

    Kanji JLPT

    N4

    Kanji Grade

    1

    Frequency

    6227

    Composition

    kanji

    Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 本音

This word contains 2 kanji characters:

  • kanji

    本

    Meaning

    Book, Origin

  • kanji

    音

    Meaning

    Sound

Words Related to 本音 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

    本能

    Meaning

    Instinct

  • 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 本音 Through the Kanji 音

These 12 Words contain the Kanji 音 as well.

  • word

    音

    Meaning

    Sound

  • word

    音楽

    Meaning

    Music

  • word

    録音

    Meaning

    Recording

  • word

    雑音

    Meaning

    Noise

  • word

    音読み

    Meaning

    On reading

  • word

    五十音

    Meaning

    Alphabet

  • word

    音声

    Meaning

    Sound, Voice

  • word

    発音

    Meaning

    Pronunciation

  • word

    物音

    Meaning

    Sound

  • word

    足音

    Meaning

    Footsteps

  • word

    録音テープ

    Meaning

    Recording tape

  • word

    騒音

    Meaning

    Noise

Learn the Word 本音

Let's make sure you fully understand this word.

What does 'Honne' (本音) mean?

'Honne' means 'True feelings' .

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