This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

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本体

本体

Readings

Kana: ほんたい、ほんだい

Romaji: hontai, hondai

Kana

Romaji

Definitions

1

substance; real form

2

main part; main unit; body (of a machine)

3

this machine; this appliance

4

object of worship (at a shrine, temple, etc.)

5

noumenon

Kanji

本

Readings: ホン、もと

Meanings: book, present, main, origin, true, real, counter for long cylindrical things

体

Readings: タイ、テイ、からだ、かたち

Meanings: body, substance, object, reality, counter for images

Example Sentence

なんであれ物事(ものごと)の本体(ほんたい)を捕(と)らえる事(こと)が肝心(かんじん)だ。

➥It is essential to get at the heart of the matter, no matter what they are.

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