心こころの内うち

Meanings

one's heart; one's inner thoughts; one's true feelings

Refers to what one truly thinks or feels inside, often contrasted with outward expression. Common in phrases like 心の内を明かす (reveal one's inner thoughts).

彼かれはなかなか心こころの内うちを見みせない。
He rarely shows his true feelings.
心こころの内うちを打うち明あけられる友とも達だちがほしい。
I want a friend I can confide my inner thoughts to.

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Kanji

心heart, mind, spirit
内inside, within, between
中in, inside, middle

Related words

本ほん音ね
本音 is one's real intention or honest opinion, often used in contrast to 建前 (public stance). 心の内 is broader, encompassing emotions and unexpressed thoughts.
心しん中ちゅう
心中 is a more formal or literary term for 'in one's heart/mind', often used in set phrases. 心の内 is more conversational and emphasizes the hidden inner world.

Built from

心こころ+うち

Written forms

心こころの内うち
Standard kanji-kana mixed spelling.
心こころのうち
Kana spelling of 内, common in everyday writing.
心こころの中うち
Ateji-like spelling using 中; the reading こころのうち is irregular for this kanji form. Usually read こころのなか.

Etymology

Compound of 心 (heart, mind) + の (possessive particle) + 内 (inside). The reading うち for 内 is the native Japanese word for 'inside'.