14

本能

Instinct

Meaning

Instinct

Word Type

noun, の adjective

Explanation

The abilities you originally start out with are instincts. Animals have lots of them because they aren't very good at learning. They have to start out knowing them from the start.

Reading

ほんのう

Explanation

This is a jukugo word that uses the on'yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

本能をコントロールする
to control one's instincts
本能を持つ
to have an instinct for
本能をくすぐる
to excite one's instincts
本能的
instinctive
本能が働く
one's instincts kick in
本能がある
to have an instinct for
本能がそなわる
to be endowed with an instinct for
母性本能
maternal instinct
男性本能
male instinct
女性本能
female instinct
男の本能
male instinct
人間の本能
human instinct
動物の本能
animal instinct

Context Sentences

本能的にヤバイって感じたんだよね。

I instinctively felt it was dangerous.

かわいい！母性本能くすぐられる。

Cute! It tickles my maternal instincts.

それは人間の本能です。

That's a human instinct.

Kanji Composition