Japanese word

本質

Pronunciation

Romajihonshitsu

Meaning

  • nouncore

Example

話の本質を説明します。hanashi no hon shitsu o setsu mei shi ma su

I explain the core of the story.

Illustration for 本質 (core)

More examples

原因を調べて、問題の本質を見つけます。gen in o shira be te mon dai no hon shitsu o mi tsu ke ma su

I examine the cause and find the core of the problem.

Core concept

Points to the fundamental character or central point beneath a thing's visible details.

Common phrases

  • 物事の本質mono goto no hon shitsu

    the essence of things

  • 本質を考えるhon shitsu o kanga e ru

    think about the essence

  • 本質を捉えるhon shitsu o tora e ru

    grasp the essence

  • 本質に迫るhon shitsu ni sema ru

    get to the essence

Similar words

核心kakushin: The central point or most important part of a matter.
真髄shinzui: The essential quality that gives something its true character.
要点yōten: The main point that matters most in a discussion or explanation.

Definition in Japanese

物事の外面的な姿や個々の特徴の奥にある、最も基本的な性質や重要な部分。mono goto no gai men teki na sugata ya ko ko no toku chō no oku ni a ru motto mo ki hon teki na sei shitsu ya jū yō na bu bun

Word origin

The compound 本質 (honshitsu) is formed from 本 (hon, "base") and 質 (shitsu, "quality"), referring to a basic quality at the core of something.

Usage tips

  • A conversation can focus on details yet miss 本質 (honshitsu), a useful contrast in explanations of problems and ideas.

Other meanings

  • true naturenoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word