本命

Reading

Kana: ほんめい

Romaji: honmei

Definitions

noun

1

favorite; favourite; sure thing; likely winner; certainty

2

one's heart's desire

Kanji

本

Readings: ホン、 もと

Meanings: book, present, main, origin, true, real, counter for long cylindrical things

命

Readings: メイ、 ミョウ、 いのち

Meanings: fate, command, decree, destiny, life, appoint

Example Sentence

本命(ほんめい)と対抗馬(たいこうば)が競(せ)り合(あ)ったお陰(かげ)で、ダークホースの彼(かれ)が漁夫(ぎょふ)の利(り)を得(え)たってわけだ。

➥Since the favorite and his rival were running against each other a dark horse like him was able to pull out in front.