正体
Meanings
true identity; true form; true colors
Refers to the real nature or identity of someone or something, often when it is hidden or disguised. Common in phrases like 正体を現す (reveal one's true self) or 正体不明 (unidentified).
The man's true identity is still unknown.
He finally showed his true colors.
consciousness; one's senses
Used in set expressions like 正体を失う (lose consciousness) or 正体がない (be unconscious/senseless). This usage is somewhat literary or formal.
He drank so much he lost consciousness.
I was so exhausted I nearly passed out.
Usage patterns
- 〈人・物〉の正体を現すfor someone or something to reveal their true identity/form
The suspicious man finally revealed his true identity in the end.
- 正体を失うto lose consciousness
He got so drunk that he lost consciousness.
- 正体を隠すto conceal one's true identity
He had been living all along while hiding his true identity.
- 〈物〉の正体をつかむto figure out what something really is
The scientists tried to figure out the true nature of the glowing phenomenon.
Expressions
- 幽霊の正体見たり枯れ尾花things are not as scary as they seem; fear makes the wolf bigger than he is