expression, noun
true feelings vs. public stance; real motive vs. stated reason
Describes the contrast between what one truly thinks or feels (本音) and the socially acceptable or official position one expresses (建前). Often used in discussions of Japanese social dynamics.
日本人は本音と建前を使い分けると言われる。
It is said that Japanese people distinguish between their true feelings and their public stance.
会議では建前ばかりで、誰も本音を言わなかった。
At the meeting, it was all official stances; nobody spoke their true feelings.
Compound of 本音 (true feelings) and 建前 (official stance, originally a term for the framework or structure of a building, metaphorically extended to mean a publicly stated position).