1.
true feelings, real intentions
One's genuine inner thoughts or feelings, as opposed to what is expressed outwardly. Implies a gap between what someone says or shows and what they actually feel.
彼の本心がわからない。
I can't tell what his true feelings are.
冗談のつもりだったが、本心ではそう思っていた。
I meant it as a joke, but deep down I really felt that way.
あの人は笑顔の裏に本心を隠しているような気がする。
I get the feeling that person hides their true feelings behind a smile.
USAGE:
Often appears in contexts where someone's outward behavior differs from their inner feelings. In Japanese culture, where 建前 (public facade) and 本音 (true feelings) are important concepts, 本心 carries similar weight to 本音 but sounds slightly more formal and literary.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 本心を隠す: to hide one's true feelings
- 本心を明かす: to reveal one's true feelings
- 本心から: from the heart, sincerely
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 本音: true feelings, honest opinion (more conversational)
- 真意: true intention (more formal, used for statements/actions)