中身（なかみ、nakami）
- contents

The Japanese word 中身なかみ primarily means "contents," "inner contents," "filling," or "inside." It refers to what is contained within something, the essence, or the substance of something. It often implies a focus on what's inside a container, a package, a person, or an idea. It emphasizes the internal aspect rather than the external appearance.

⚫︎ 箱の中身 Translation: The contents of the box. ⚫︎ サンドイッチの中身は何ですか？ Translation: What's in the sandwich? ⚫︎ 彼の中身はとても優しい。 Translation: He is very kind at heart.

⚫︎ Use 中身なかみ when you want to talk about what's inside something: a box, a bag, a bottle, etc. ⚫︎ You can also use it figuratively to describe someone's character or the essence of an abstract concept. ⚫︎ It's a common word, suitable for both formal and informal situations, though the specific phrasing might change. For example, in a formal context, you might use more polite language along with 中身なかみ.

⚫︎ 中身なかみ is typically written in kanji 中 and 身, with the reading written in hiragana. ⚫︎ It is always written as 中身, and there are no variations in okurigana.

⚫︎ 内容 (ないよう - contents) ⚫︎ 内部 (ないぶ - interior, inside) ⚫︎ 本質 (ほんしつ - essence, nature) ⚫︎ 心 (こころ - heart, mind - when referring to a person's inner self)

⚫︎ 外見 (がいけん - appearance, exterior) ⚫︎ 表面 (ひょうめん - surface)

このプレゼントの中身は何ですか？ ・Translation: What's inside this present? ・Explanation: This sentence directly asks about the contents of a gift, focusing on what is contained within the wrapping.

彼の話は面白かったが、中身はあまりなかった。 ・Translation: His talk was interesting, but it didn't have much substance. ・Explanation: This example shows the figurative use of 中身なかみ, meaning the talk lacked significant content or depth.

The word 中身なかみ is composed of two kanji: 中 (なか - inside, middle) and 身 (み - body, oneself, substance). Together, they logically represent the "inner part" or "substance" of something. The reading なかみ is a native Japanese reading (kun'yomi) of these kanji.