本質(ほんしつ)

ほんしつ
noun
essence
1. essence, true nature
The fundamental or most important characteristic of something.
問題(もんだい)の本質(ほんしつ)を見極(みきわ)める。
Identify the essence of the problem.
本質的(ほんしつてき)な違(ちが)いは何(なん)ですか。
What is the essential difference?
それは本質(ほんしつ)を捉(とら)えていない。
That doesn't grasp the essence.

本質(ほんしつ) refers to the fundamental nature or core characteristic of something.

WORD FORMATION:
本(ほん) (root, main) + 質(しつ) (quality, nature)

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 本質(ほんしつ)を見極(みきわ)める: to discern the essence
  • 本質(ほんしつ)を捉(とら)える: to grasp the essence
  • 本質(ほんしつ)を理解(りかい)する: to understand the essence
  • 本質(ほんしつ)に迫(せま)る: to get to the heart of
  • 本質的(ほんしつてき)な: essential, fundamental
  • 本質的(ほんしつてき)に: essentially

USAGE:
Common in philosophical, academic, business, and analytical contexts when discussing what truly matters about something.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 核心(かくしん): core, crux
  • 真髄(しんずい): essence, quintessence
  • 根本(こんぽん): root, foundation
general
Added 2026.1.16 9:28 · Revised 2026.1.28 11:20
04500/04810_honshitsu