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本気で (ほんきで) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

本ほん気きで

Meanings

1

adverb

seriously; in earnest; for real

Adverbial form of 本気, used to describe doing something with genuine intent, effort, or sincerity. Often used in casual speech to emphasize that one is not joking.

本ほん気きで日本にほん語ごを勉べん強きょうしたい。
I seriously want to study Japanese.
彼かれは本ほん気きで怒おこっている。
He is really angry.

Kanji

本book, present, main
気spirit, mind, air

Similar words

本ほん気き
本気 is a noun or na-adjective meaning 'seriousness' or 'earnestness'. 本気で is its adverbial form, used to modify verbs.
真しん剣けんに
真剣に also means 'seriously', but often carries a nuance of focused, intense concentration, while 本気で emphasizes genuine intent or sincerity.

Etymology

Adverbial form of 本気 (ほんき), a compound of 本 (ほん, 'true' or 'real') and 気 (き, 'spirit' or 'mind'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination conveys the idea of 'true spirit' or 'real intent'.