本性(ほんしょう)

ほんしょう
noun
true nature, true character
1. true nature, true character
A person's innate character or nature that is normally hidden beneath a social mask. Often implies that the true nature is negative or surprising when revealed.
酔(よ)うと本性(ほんしょう)が出(で)る。
When drunk, one's true nature comes out.
ついに彼(かれ)の本性(ほんしょう)が現(あらわ)れた。
His true nature finally showed itself.
追(お)い詰(つ)められると人(ひと)は本性(ほんしょう)を見(み)せるものだ。
When cornered, people tend to show their true colors.

Usage

Often carries a negative connotation — the true nature revealed is usually worse than expected. Common in the pattern 本性(ほんしょう)が出(で)る / 現(あらわ)れる (one's true nature emerges). The Buddhist term (a being's original nature) uses this reading too. The other reading, ほんせい, belongs to philosophy and scholarly writing (人間(にんげん)の本性(ほんせい), human nature) and carries no sense of something hidden.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 本性(ほんせい): innate nature, human nature (philosophical, neutral)
  • 正体(しょうたい): true identity, true form (often used for disguised or unknown entities)
  • 素顔(すがお): bare face, true self (less negative)

Related Words

Synonym: 本心(ほんしん) (true feelings, real intentions)
Compare: 正体(しょうたい) (true identity, true form)
Compare: 素顔(すがお) (bare face, true self)
Compare: 本性(ほんせい) (innate nature (philosophical reading))
general
Added 2026.2.22 21:43 · Revised 2026.10.8 17:10
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