Japanese word

正体

Pronunciation

Romajishōtai

Meaning

  • nountrue identity

Example

彼の正体はまだ分かりません。kare no shō tai wa ma da wa ka ri ma se n

We still do not know his true identity.

Illustration for 正体 (true identity)

More examples

長年の調査で、事件の鍵を握る人物の正体が明らかになりました。naga nen no chō sa de ji ken no kagi o nigi ru jin butsu no shō tai ga aki ra ka ni na ri ma shi ta

After years of investigation, the identity of the person holding the key to the case became clear.

Core concept

Points to the underlying reality that remains when a person's appearance or a thing's surface impression is set aside.

Common phrases

  • 正体がばれるshō tai ga ba re ru

    have one's true identity exposed

  • 正体を現すshō tai o arawa su

    reveal one's true nature

  • 正体を突き止めるshō tai o tsu ki to me ru

    discover someone's true identity

  • 正体を隠すshō tai o kaku su

    hide one's true identity

  • 正体を明かすshō tai o a ka su

    reveal one's true identity

Similar words

身元mimoto: The identity and personal background of a person, especially when the person is unknown.
本性honshō: The inner character or natural disposition of a person, especially when it is hidden from others.
素性sosei: A person's origins, background, and past, considered when identifying the person.
本質honshitsu: The essential nature of a thing or issue beneath its surface features.

Definition in Japanese

隠されていた人の本当の身分や、物事の本来の性質。kaku sa re te i ta hito no hon tō no mi bun ya mono goto no hon rai no sei shitsu

Word origin

正体 (shōtai) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 正 (shō, "correct") and 体 (tai, "body or form"), expressing the idea of a proper or original form and later a hidden identity or true nature.

Usage tips

  • A detective may reveal a suspect's 正体 (shōtai), while the same word can describe the real nature of an issue whose surface appearance is misleading.

Other meanings

  • true naturenoun

Word lists with this word