Japanese word

下心

Pronunciation

Romajishitagokoro

Meaning

  • nounulterior motive

Example

彼には下心があります。kare ni wa shita gokoro ga a ri ma su

He has an ulterior motive.

Illustration for 下心 (ulterior motive)

More examples

彼の親切には下心がありました。kare no shin setsu ni wa shita gokoro ga a ri ma shi ta

His kindness had an ulterior motive.

Core concept

Refers to a private aim that lies behind what a person openly says or does.

Common phrases

  • 下心があるshita gokoro ga a ru

    have an ulterior motive

  • 下心を隠すshita gokoro o kaku su

    hide an ulterior motive

Similar words

企みtakurami: A secret plan that usually aims to cause trouble or gain an advantage.
魂胆kontan: A hidden motive, often involving selfish or dishonest intentions.
思惑omowaku: An aim or expectation that influences a person's actions, often kept unspoken.

Definition in Japanese

表面に現れた言動の裏に隠されている、本当の目的や意図。hyō men ni arawa re ta gen dō no ura ni kaku sa re te i ru hon tō no moku teki ya i to

Word origin

The compound 下心 (shitagokoro) joins 下 (shita, "under") with 心 (kokoro, "mind") to describe an intention hidden beneath the surface.

Usage tips

  • Calling someone's motive 下心 (shitagokoro) usually sounds like an accusation, so the word is stronger than a neutral term for a private plan.

Other meanings

  • hidden intentionnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word