本 means “book / origin”

Watch: Gen and Shibamaru learn 本

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Where 本 comes from

本 is 木 (tree) with an extra short line near the bottom. The line points to the roots, the base of the tree. From "root" came the meanings "origin" and "real," and later "book."

Stroke order (5 strokes)

1. 1
2. 2
3. 3
4. 4
5. 5

Words with 本

• 

  本ほん

  HON

  book

• 

  日本にほん

  NIHON

  Japan

• 

  本当ほんとう

  HONTOU

  true / really

• 

  本屋ほんや

  HONYA

  bookstore

• 

  一本いっぽん

  IPPON

  one (long thing)

The part of each word written with 本 is shown in orange. Audio: the readings from our video.

Reading tips

• On its own, 本 is read ほん (HON): 本を よみます means "I read a book."
• 本 is also a counter for long, thin things like pens, bottles, and umbrellas. The sound changes: 一本 (IPPON), 二本 (NIHON), 三本 (SANBON).
• 本当 (HONTOU) means "true." ほんとう？ is how you say "Really?"

In the video

• Shibamaruどれも よく 見ることばだよYou'll see all of these.
• Genおぼえたぞ！Got them!

Example sentences

• 本屋で 本を かいました。

  HONYA DE HON O KAIMASHITA.

  I bought a book at the bookstore.

• ペンが 一本 あります。

  PEN GA IPPON ARIMASU.

  There is one pen.

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