noun, takes genitive case の

  1. favorite (to win), favorite, likely winner.
  2. one's heart's desire, first choice. Colloquialism.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
本命 ほんめい

Contained Kanji Breakdown

book, present, main
ホン もと まと (1st, N5)
tree, wood
き モク こ- (1st, N5)
fate, command, decree
メイ いのち ミョウ (3rd, N3)
to assemble. to gather together
シュウ あつまる
person
ひと ニン ジン (1st, N5)
one, one radical (no.1)
イチ いっ ひと- (1st, N5)
strike, beat, kow tow
たた.く はた.く コウ (Kentei Pre-1)
mouth
くち コウ ク (1st, N4)
seal radical (no. 26)
セツ わりふ (Kentei 1)