Chinese word

本意

Pronunciation

Pinyinběn yì

Meaning

  • nountrue intention

Example

我知道他的本意不是那样。wǒ zhī dào tā de běn yì bú shì nà yàng

I know his true intention was not like that.

Illustration for 本意 (true intention)

More examples

他的表述被曲解，偏离了本意。tā de biǎo shù bèi qū jiě piān lí le běn yì

His statement was misinterpreted and no longer reflected his true intention.

Core concept

The inner purpose behind an outward message or act.

Common phrases

  • 出于本意chū yú běn yì

    in accordance with one's true intention

  • 违背本意wéi bèi běn yì

    contrary to one's true intention

  • 曲解本意qū jiě běn yì

    misinterpret one's true intention

Similar words

本心běn xīn: The honest feelings and thoughts a person holds inside.
真意zhēn yì: The actual meaning or intention behind an outward message.
意图yì tú: A definite plan or intention aimed at achieving a goal.
动机dòng jī: The personal reason or cause that leads to an action.

Definition in Chinese

行为或言语背后真实的动机或念头。xíng wéi huò yán yǔ bèi hòu zhēn shí de dòng jī huò niàn tou

Word origin

本意 (běnyì, "true intention") joins 本 (běn, "original/root") with 意 (yì, "thought"), linking the word to the original thought behind what is said or done.

Usage tips

  • This word is useful in misunderstandings because it lets a speaker explain a remark charitably rather than treating its surface wording as the whole message.

Other meanings

  • true meaningnoun

Opposites

  • 表面意思biǎo miàn yì sisurface meaningnoun

Word lists with this word