胸(むね)の内(うち)

むねのうち

noun

one's inner thoughts; one's heart; what one really feels

1. one's inner thoughts; one's true feelings; what is in one's heart

The thoughts, feelings, or emotions that a person keeps inside and does not easily show or express to others. Literally 'inside one's chest.'

胸(むね)の内(うち)を明(あ)かした。

They revealed what was in their heart.

彼(かれ)は胸(むね)の内(うち)を誰(だれ)にも話(はな)さない。

He doesn't share his true feelings with anyone.

長年(ながねん)胸(むね)の内(うち)に秘(ひ)めていた思(おも)いを、ついに打(う)ち明(あ)けた。

They finally confessed the feelings they had kept hidden in their heart for many years.

Literally "inside the chest" — the chest (胸(むね)) is the seat of emotions in Japanese, much as the heart is in English. This expression refers to unexpressed thoughts and feelings.

Common collocations

胸(むね)の内(うち)を明(あ)かす: to reveal one's true feelings
胸(むね)の内(うち)を打(う)ち明(あ)ける: to confide one's feelings
胸(むね)の内(うち)に秘(ひ)める: to keep hidden in one's heart
胸(むね)の内(うち)を語(かた)る: to speak about one's inner feelings
胸(むね)の内(うち)を察(さっ)する: to sense what someone is feeling

Similar words

本音(ほんね): one's true feelings — focuses on honest opinion vs. public face
心中(しんちゅう): one's mind, what one thinks — more formal/literary
内心(ないしん): inwardly — focuses on contrast with outward behavior
胸(むね)の中(なか): same meaning, slightly more casual variant

Related Words

Compare: 本音(ほんね) (one's true feelings)

Compare: 心中(しんちゅう) (one's mind, what one thinks)

Compare: 内心(ないしん) (inwardly)

general

Added 2026.4.3 0:23 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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