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持ち前 (もちまえ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word Freq. Frequency Top 50,000 Meanings 1
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
innate ; inherent ; natural
Describes a quality, ability, or characteristic that someone or something possesses from the start, not acquired later. Often used with 性格, 才能, 明るさ, etc.
持も ち 前まえ の 粘ねば り 強づよ さ で 、 ついに 難なん 関かん を 突とっ 破ぱ し た 。
With his characteristic tenacity, he finally broke through the barrier.
Written forms 持も ち 前まえ Usage 83%
Standard kanji spelling; high frequency in news and general use.
もちまえ Usage 8%
持も ちまえ Usage 5%
search-only kanji form
Search-only kana form; not a standard written spelling.
持もち 前まえ Usage 4%
Less common variant without the okurigana ち.
Similar words 天てん 性せい 天性 emphasizes a natural-born gift or disposition, often with a nuance of destiny. 持ち前 is more neutral and can refer to any inherent trait, including personality or physical attributes.
生せい 来らい 生来 is an adverb meaning 'by nature' or 'from birth', while 持ち前 is a noun/no-adjective describing the trait itself.
Etymology Compound of 持ち (mochi, 'holding, having') + 前 (mae, 'before, front'), literally 'what one has from before'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the meaning has been stable as 'innate quality'.
