本能
honnō
The English phrase "instinct" is translated into Japanese as 本能 (honnō).
本能 refers to a natural, innate behavior or impulse that is not learned. Additionally, the adverbial form is 本能的に.
Which one should you use?
While 本能 is the standard term for instinct, you may encounter 勘, which refers more to an intuitive sense. There is also the phrase 勘所, which refers to the crucial points or key elements that someone instinctively considers.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use it as an adverb meaning "instinctively", use 本能的に.
How do you pronounce it?
honnō
Did you know?
- While 本能 covers the concept of instinct, in modern Japanese pop culture, particularly in anime, 'instinctual' characters are often described using the word 野生 (yasei), meaning 'wildness'.
- The word 本能 is composed of the characters for 'origin' and 'ability', implying that instinct is an innate capacity one is born with.
- Japanese has several words for 'intuition', but 勘 is specifically paired with the verb が働く to describe a 'gut feeling' that is currently operating.
Examples in context
- 私たちは、本能的に危険を察知する能力を持っています。We have the ability to instinctively sense danger.
- 彼は純粋に勘で物事を判断する人です。He is a person who judges things purely by instinct.
- それは本能的な行動だ。That is an instinctive behavior.
- それは生き物の本能です。Sore wa ikimono no honnō desu.That is an instinct of living creatures.
- 本能的な行動に驚いた。Honnō-tekina kōdō ni odoroita.I was surprised by his instinctive behavior.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are watching a cat hunt a toy.
- 陽葵 Himariあの猫の動き、本能的だね。Ano neko no ugoki, honnō-teki dane.That cat's movement is so instinctive, isn't it?
- 健太 Kenta本当に、本能を感じるよ。Hontō ni, honnō o kanjiru yo.Really, I can feel the instinct.
- 陽葵 Himari健太さんは、狩りをしたことがありますか？Kenta-san wa, kari o shita koto ga arimasu ka?Kenta, have you ever hunted anything?
- 健太 Kentaいいえ、一度もありません。Iie, ichido mo arimasen.No, not even once.
