Chinese word

本色

Pronunciation

Pinyinběn sè

Meaning

  • nountrue nature

Example

他一直很温和，今天露出本色了。tā yì zhí hěn wēn hé jīn tiān lù chū běn sè le

He had always been gentle, but today he showed his true nature.

Illustration for 本色 (true nature)

More examples

她在压力下仍然保持本色。tā zài yā lì xià réng rán bǎo chí běn sè

She stays true to her nature even under pressure.

Core concept

The original look or character that remains when added presentation falls away.

Common phrases

  • 露出本色lù chū běn sè

    show one's true nature

  • 显露本色xiǎn lù běn sè

    reveal one's true nature

  • 保持本色bǎo chí běn sè

    stay true to one's nature

Similar words

本性běn xìng: A person's basic nature formed by inborn qualities and life experience.
性格xìng gé: The usual traits and temperament shown in a person's behavior and way of thinking.

Definition in Chinese

指事物或人的本来面貌或本性，常用来描述在特定情境下显露出的真实一面。zhǐ shì wù huò rén de běn lái miàn mào huò běn xìng cháng yòng lái miáo shù zài tè dìng qíng jìng xià xiǎn lù chū de zhēn shí yí miàn

Word origin

The word is formed from 本 (běn, "original") and 色 (sè, "color or appearance"), linking an object's natural color with a person's underlying manner.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may treat "true nature" as a deep, fixed personality, but Chinese also uses this noun for a visible manner or appearance revealed in a particular situation.

Other meanings

  • natural colornoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word