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 EXPRESSIONS:

  • 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
general
Added 2026.4.3 0:23
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