also: ほい
real intention; true motive; true will
Refers to what someone genuinely wants or intends, often contrasted with outward words or actions. Common in expressions like 本意ではない (not one's real intention).
original intention; original purpose; original hope
Used for the initial aim or purpose behind an action, plan, or creation. Often appears in contexts where the original intent is contrasted with the current situation or outcome.
This is by no means my true intention.
I don't think his words reflect his real intention.
He hides his true feelings and forces a smile.
The original purpose of this system is to protect the weak.
His original intention lay elsewhere.
He finally revealed his true intention.
I acted only after confirming my boss's real intention.
That was a result contrary to my true intention.
意図 refers to a deliberate plan or aim behind an action, while 本意 (in its 'original intention' sense) emphasizes the original hope that may later diverge from the outcome.
本心 refers to one's true feelings from the heart in personal, emotional contexts, while 本意 is broader and covers intentions, motives, or original purposes in both personal and formal situations.
本音 is one's true feelings or opinions as opposed to a public facade (建前), while 本意 stresses one's genuine intention or will without necessarily implying concealment.
本意 is a person's true personal intention or feeling, while 本旨 refers to the essential aim or spirit of something more objective, like a rule or document.
本意 is one's true intention or genuine wish, and 不本意 literally describes something that goes against that 本意.
本位 means 'standard' or 'basis' (as in 金本位制, the gold standard), while 本意 means one's genuine intention; the two are pronounced identically but semantically unrelated.
Standard kanji spelling; the reading ほんい is the most common.
Rare reading; ほんい is overwhelmingly preferred in modern Japanese.
Compound of 本 (ほん, 'true, original') and 意 (い, 'mind, intention'). The reading ほい is a historical contraction, now rare.