[běn zhì]
[哲] (事物的内部联系) essence
(原来的品质; 素质) nature; innate character; intrinsic quality
an essential distinction
本质差别
at heart
在本质上
an essential aspect
本质方面
a nonessential aspect
非本质方面
the essence and the outward appearance
本质和现象
see through the appearance to the essence
透过现象看本质
The two things are the same in outward form but different in essence.
这两样东西外表上相同, 但本质上不同。