本音
ほんね · honne · JLPT N1 · noun
purpose
🎤 本 = true + 音 = sound: the true voice under your public face (tatemae)
Honne is the private true voice you keep hidden, set against tatemae, the polite public front you show others. Sergio's word is built on 本 (origin, true) and 音 (sound, voice).
本 — tree 木 + mark at base
本 is a pictograph of a tree (木) with a stroke at its base, marking the roots. From this 'root' meaning it extended to 'origin,' 'source,' and 'foundation.' In modern usage it also serves as a measure word for bound objects like books.