Japanese word

本人

Pronunciation

Romajihonnin

Meaning

  • nounthe person themselves

Example

その話は本人に聞いてください。so no hanashi wa hon nin ni ki i te ku da sa i

Please ask the person themselves about that.

Illustration for 本人 (the person themselves)

More examples

申込書には本人の署名が必要です。mōshi komi sho ni wa hon nin no sho mei ga hitsu yō de su

The application form needs the person's own signature.

Core concept

Identifies the actual person connected to a matter rather than an intermediary or an outside source.

Common phrases

  • 本人に聞くhon nin ni ki ku

    ask the person themselves

  • 本人の同意hon nin no dō i

    the person's own consent

  • 本人確認hon nin kaku nin

    identity verification

Similar words

当人tōnin: The person who is the subject of a matter or situation.

Definition in Japanese

他人ではなく、その事柄に直接関係する当の人。ta nin de wa na ku so no koto gara ni choku setsu kan kei su ru tō no hito

Word origin

The compound 本人 (honnin) joins 本 (hon, "original") with 人 (nin, "person") to describe the original or actual person involved.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 本人 (honnin) helps distinguish the person concerned from a family member, spokesperson, or other person speaking on that person's behalf.

Other meanings

  • the person in questionnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word