胸むねの内うち

Meanings

expression, noun

what's in one's heart; one's emotional state; what one feels

Refers to one's inner thoughts, feelings, or true emotions, often contrasted with outward appearance.

彼かれは胸むねの内うちをなかなか明あかさない。
He rarely reveals what's in his heart.
笑え顔がおの裏うらに、複ふく雑ざつな胸むねの内うちを感かんじた。
Behind her smile, I sensed complex feelings.

See all 10 example sentences ›

Kanji

胸bosom, breast, chest
内inside, within, between
裡reverse, inside, palm

Related words

本ほん音ね
本音 is one's true feelings or real intention, often used in contrast to 建前 (public stance). 胸の内 is a more literary, emotional expression for what one carries in one's heart.
心しん情じょう
心情 is a more formal, abstract term for one's emotional state or sentiment. 胸の内 is more concrete and personal, literally 'inside one's chest'.

Built from

胸むね+うち

Written forms

胸むねの内うち
Standard kanji spelling.
胸むねのうち
Kana-mixed spelling, common in everyday writing.
胸むねの裡うち
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form using 裡; it is rarely used.

Etymology

Compound of 胸 (chest, heart) + の (possessive particle) + 内 (inside). Literally 'the inside of one's chest', used figuratively for one's inner thoughts and feelings.