Meaning and Usage
"本名" (ほんみょう) means "real name" or "true name." It refers to the official or legal name a person is given, as opposed to nicknames, stage names, or pseudonyms.
Common Contexts
This word is often used when distinguishing between a person's real name and a name used for work, entertainment, or online activities. For example, celebrities might use a stage name (芸名) but their 本名 is their birth name.
Collocations and Patterns
- 本名で登録する: to register using one's real name
- 本名を使う／名乗る: to use or state one's real name
- 本名を隠す／明かす: to hide or reveal one's real name
Register and Nuance
"本名" is a neutral term used in both formal and informal contexts. It is common in official documents, online settings, and everyday conversation when clarifying identity.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 本名 with 芸名 (stage name) or 匿名 (anonymous). Remember, 本名 always refers to the person's legal or birth name, not a nickname or alias.