心根|こころねkokorone[0]heiban (flat)

1. nouninnermost feelings; heart; motive
2. nounnature; disposition; spirit
   ハルくんは昔むかしからこうなの、心根こころねは凄すごく優やさしいのよ。↗

   Haru's always been like that; he's very kind at heart.

• Synonym内心ないしんNeutralOne's inner thoughts as opposed to what shows outside, as in 「内心ほっとした」; 「心根」 is more about whether one's basic heart is good or bad.
• Synonym心こころNeutralThe broadest of these words, covering thoughts, feelings, spirit and more; 「心根」 points to the nature and thoughts deep in the heart.
• Synonym気質きしつNeutralA person's temperament or make-up, fairly objective and also used in psychology; as a suffix it reads 「かたぎ」, as in 「職人気質」.
• Synonym気性きしょうNeutralAn inborn temper, described as fierce or mild, as in 「気性が荒い」; focuses on emotional reactions.
• Synonym根性こんじょうNeutralMostly grit and fighting spirit, as in 「根性がある」; when it means basic nature it often carries a negative shade, as in 「根性が悪い」.
• Synonym性根しょうねNeutralOne's fundamental character, often with a lecturing tone, as in 「性根を叩き直す」; can also mean perseverance.
• Synonym性質せいしつNeutralThe inherent nature of a person or thing; for people it stays fairly objective, while 「心根」 looks at the true heart deep inside.
• Synonym本性ほんしょうNeutralThe true nature one hides, often in 「本性を現す」; usually about the bad side coming out.
• Related天性てんせいWrittenA written/formal word for qualities or talents one is born with; 「心根」 is not necessarily innate and focuses on whether the heart is good or bad.
• Related性分しょうぶんNeutralAn inborn temper, mostly used of one's own habits, as in 「じっとしていられない性分」.
• Related性根しょうねNeutralOne's fundamental character, often with a lecturing tone, as in 「性根を叩き直す」; can also mean perseverance.
• Related性格せいかくNeutralA person's character as a whole and the most common everyday word; 「心根」 leans toward the good or evil of the inner nature.
• Related質しつNeutralMostly the quality or inherent worth of things; for people it means calibre. 「心根」 looks at the true heart deep inside and its good or evil.
• Related本質ほんしつWrittenA written/formal word for the essence of things, mostly in abstract discussion; generally not used of a person's heart.
• Related魂たましいNeutralSoul, spirit or mettle, as in 「職人の魂」; it does not concern itself with whether the heart is good or bad.
• Related気立てきだてNeutralOne's disposition in dealing with people; often used to praise someone, as in 「気立てのいい娘」, and everyday in tone.
• Related心ばえこころばえWrittenA written/formal word for one's heart and disposition, also thoughtfulness for others; old-fashioned in feel and rarely used today.

For everyday talk about personality, use 「性格」. To praise a kind heart, use 「気立て」 or 「心根」. For a hidden nature showing itself, use 「本性」; for temper, use 「気性」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 心こころの奥底おくそこ。本性ほんしょう。