本体

Readings

Kana: ほんたい、ほんだい

Romaji: hontai, hondai

Definitions

noun

adj-no

1

substance; real form

2

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

noun

3

this machine; this appliance

noun

adj-no

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.