内心
Meanings
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
inner thoughts; real intention; one's mind
Refers to what one truly thinks or feels inside, often contrasted with outward expression. Common in phrases like 内心では or 内心ほっとする.
Inwardly, I agreed with his opinion.
She felt relieved deep down.
at heart; deep down; on the inside
Adverbial use emphasizing one's true feelings, often with は or で. Similar to sense 1 but used as an adverb.
Deep down, I was thinking something different.
inner center (geometry)
Mathematics term for the center of an inscribed circle. Rare outside technical contexts.
See also: 外心 (がいしん)
The incenter of a triangle is the intersection of its three angle bisectors.
Usage patterns
- 内心では〈事〉と思うto secretly think ~ deep down
Deep down, I disagreed with his opinion.
- 内心ほっとするto feel secretly relieved
The test was cancelled, and I was secretly relieved.
- 内心を隠すto hide one's true feelings
He hid his true feelings and put on a smile.
- 内心びくびくするto be nervous or anxious inside
I was nervous inside during the interview.