Learn Japanese FAQ

Q: What does ‘honki’ mean?  – Ann

A: Ooo, that’s a good question.

Hon = 本　can mean “real” or the root of something,

Ki = 気 is “chi” or “spirit”.

For example Japan is Nihon = 日本 which is the root or origin of the sun.

And genki = 元気　which literally means the source of your spirit.

So honki = 本気　sort of means “seriously” or “not in a joking way”.  You often use it as an alternative to hontou = 本当 which means “really?” when someone tells you something amazing!

Be genki,

Richard

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