true meaning; real significance
Refers to the genuine, underlying meaning or significance of something, often in contrast to a superficial interpretation.
It is difficult to understand the true meaning of this word.
He thought more deeply about the real significance of that event than anyone else.
Compound of 真 (しん, 'true') and 意義 (いぎ, 'meaning, significance'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word is formed from standard Sino-Japanese elements.