Meaning of 本性(ほんしょう) in Japanese

Reading and JLPT level 本性

Kana Reading ほんしょう, ほんせい

Romaji honshō, honsei

Parts of speech

noun (common) (futsuumeishi)

Meaning

true character; real nature

Examples of 本性, ほんしょう, ほんせい in a sentence

飛んだり巣を造ったりするのは鳥の本性です。

It is in the nature of birds to fly and build nests.
人間は一本のアシに過ぎず、その本性はきわめて弱いが、人間は考える葦である。

Man is but a reed, the weakest in nature, but he is a thinking reed.
時代は変わるだろうが、人間の本性は変わらないものだ。

Times may change, but human nature stay the same.
わずかの言葉が人の本性を表すことがある。

A few words may betray a man's true character.

Related Kanji

性 JLPT 3

8 strokes

sex, gender, nature

On'Yomi: セイ, ショウ

Kun'Yomi: さが

Learn more

本 JLPT 5

5 strokes

book, present, main, origin, true, real, counter for long cylindrical things

On'Yomi: ホン

Kun'Yomi: もと

Learn more

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