持(も)ち前(まえ)

もちまえ
noun, no-adjective
natural trait; inherent quality; one's own
personality
1. natural trait; inherent quality; innate characteristic
A quality, ability, or characteristic that someone naturally possesses. Almost always used in a positive sense to describe admirable traits that come naturally to a person.
持(も)ち前(まえ)の明(あか)るさで乗(の)り越(こ)えた。
She got through it with her natural cheerfulness.
彼(かれ)は持(も)ち前(まえ)の体力(たいりょく)で最後(さいご)まで走(はし)り抜(ぬ)いた。
He ran all the way to the end with his natural stamina.
持(も)ち前(まえ)の行動力(こうどうりょく)を活(い)かして、新(あたら)しいプロジェクトを成功(せいこう)させた。
She leveraged her natural drive to action and made the new project a success.

Literally 'what one holds from before' — a quality that has been part of someone since birth or from a very early stage. Almost exclusively used in a positive or admiring context to describe desirable traits. Typically used as a modifier in the pattern 持(も)ち前(まえ)の + [positive trait].

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 生(う)まれつき: innate, from birth — can describe both positive and negative traits; more neutral
  • 天性(てんせい): natural disposition — more literary; emphasizes heaven-given talent
  • 素質(そしつ): natural aptitude — focuses on latent ability rather than observable traits

Related Words

Compare: 生(う)まれつき (innate, from birth)
Compare: 天性(てんせい) (natural disposition)
Compare: 素質(そしつ) (natural aptitude)
general
Added 2026.4.8 0:25 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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