Japanese word

本能

Pronunciation

Romajihonnō

Meaning

  • nouninstinct

Example

動物は本能に従って行動します。dō butsu wa hon nō ni shitaga tte kō dō shi ma su

Animals act on instinct.

Illustration for 本能 (instinct)

More examples

赤ちゃんは危険を避ける本能を持っています。aka cha n wa ki ken o sa ke ru hon nō o mo tte i ma su

Babies have an instinct to avoid danger.

Core concept

Describes an inborn drive that guides behavior without deliberate learning or reasoning.

Common phrases

  • 本能が働くhon nō ga hatara ku

    instinct kicks in

  • 本能に従うhon nō ni shitaga u

    follow one's instincts

  • 本能を抑えるhon nō o osa e ru

    suppress an instinct

Similar words

直感chokkan: An immediate understanding or feeling that arises without conscious reasoning.
衝動shōdō: A strong sudden urge to act, often before careful thought.
勘kan: A quick judgment based on an intuitive feeling rather than clear evidence.

Definition in Japanese

生物に生まれつき備わり、経験や学習を経なくても行動を促す力。sei butsu ni u ma re tsu ki sona wa ri kei ken ya gaku shū o he na ku te mo kō dō o unaga su chikara

Word origin

本能 (honnō) combines 本 (hon, "origin") and 能 (nō, "ability"), giving the compound the sense of an ability rooted in one's nature.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 本能 (honnō, "instinct") often describes an immediate reaction to danger or hunger, making it useful when a speaker contrasts a quick response with a carefully considered choice.

Opposites

Related words

  • 本能的honnōtekiinstinctivena-adjective

Word lists with this word