Translation and Meaning of: 本 - hon

The Japanese word 「本」 (hon) is a multifaceted expression that carries different meanings depending on the context, although it is generally known as "book" in the Japanese language. The reading "hon" applies when the character is used to describe objects such as books, or to measure cylindrical and long things, like bottles or pencils. The versatility of the word makes it an essential component in both the everyday and cultural aspects of the Japanese language.

Etymologically, 「本」 is composed of two main components in Kanji. The upper part, which resembles a cross, traditionally represents the idea of division or a certain point. The lower part, which looks like a horizontal line, denotes base or essence. Thus, the combination of these elements suggests the essence or origin of something. Historically, this connects to the notion of "book" as a foundation of knowledge or information.

The use of 「本」 is not limited to reading materials. In Japanese, the word extends to the act of counting, as in "ippon" (一本), which means "one long object." This illustrates how the concept of essence or base applies in various contexts in Japanese culture, showing the importance and flexibility of 「本」 in the language. Furthermore, the same word is found in expressions like "nihon" (日本), indicating "Japan," once again highlighting how this kanji permeates the language with a profound meaning of foundation and origin.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 書籍 (shoseki) - Books, publications
• 書物 (shomotsu) - Books, literary works
• 本文 (honbun) - Main text, content
• 本書 (honsho) - This book, this work
• 本著 (honcho) - This work, this job
• 本作 (honsaku) - This work, this (job) created
• 本格 (honkaku) - Authentic, genuine, complete
• 本日 (honjitsu) - Today, the current day
• 本年 (honnnen) - This year, the current year
• 本屋 (honya) - Bookstore, book shop
• 本棚 (hondana) - Bookshelf
• 本体 (hontai) - Body (of an object), real part
• 本質 (honshitsu) - Essence, true nature
• 本題 (hondai) - Main subject, central topic
• 本場 (honba) - Local original, authentic local
• 本店 (honten) - Main store, original branch
• 本社 (honsha) - Headquarters, parent company
• 本部 (honbu) - Main department, central section
• 本格的 (honkakuteki) - Authentic, in full style
• 本格派 (honkakuhai) - Authentic style, traditional format

本

Romaji: hon
Kana: ほん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: book; main; boss; This one; our; counter for long cylindrical things

Meaning in English: book;main;head;this;our;counter for long cylindrical things

Definition: A collection of printed material on paper or papers. Used for reading and research.

Example Sentences - (本) hon

See below some example sentences:

この本のセクションはとても興味深いです。

Kono hon no sekushon wa totemo kyoumi bukai desu

The section of this book is very interesting.

The section of this book is very interesting.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 本 - noun meaning "book"
• の - particle that indicates ownership, in this case, "of the book"
• セクション - noun meaning "section"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "the section"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 興味深い - adjective meaning "interesting"
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite form of the present, in this case, "é"

この本の目次を見てください。

Kono hon no mokuji wo mite kudasai

Please look at the index of this book.

Look at the index of this book.

• この - demonstrative pronoun
• 本 - noun meaning "book"
• の - Particle that indicates possession
• 目次 - noun that means "index"
• を - particle that indicates direct object
• 見てください - "See" in the imperative, followed by an auxiliary verb indicating "please"

この本の表紙は美しいです。

Kono hon no hyōshi wa utsukushii desu

The cover of this book is beautiful.

The cover of this book is beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 本 - noun meaning "book"
• の - particle that indicates ownership, in this case, "of the book"
• 表紙 - noun meaning "cover (of a book)"
• は - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case "the cover"
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• です - linking verb that indicates the state or quality of the subject, in this case, "is"

この精巧な彫刻は本当に美しいです。

Kono seikou na choukoku wa hontou ni utsukushii desu

This intricate carving is really beautiful.

This elaborate sculpture is really beautiful.

• この - indicates that the object is close to the speaker, it can be translated as "this".
• 精巧な - an adjective that means "precise" or "elaborate."
• 彫刻 - noun that means "sculpture" or "carving".
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, can be translated as "about" or "regarding".
• 本当に - Adverb meaning "really" or "truly".
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful" or "pretty".
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form.

この本は私の研究にとても参考になりました。

Kono hon wa watashi no kenkyū ni totemo sankō ni narimashita

This book was very useful as a reference for my research.

This book was very useful in my research.

• この - indicates proximity, in this case, "this"
• 本 - It means "book".
• は - topic particle, indicates that the book is the subject of the sentence
• 私 - means "I"
• の - possessive particle, indicates that the book is "mine"
• 研究 - It means "research".
• に - particle that indicates purpose, in this case, "for"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 参考 - It means "reference"
• に - again the particle that indicates the purpose, in this case, "para"
• なりました - verb that indicates that the book "became" a very useful reference for research.

この映画は本当に傑作だ。

Kono eiga wa hontō ni kessaku da

This film is truly a masterpiece.

• この - Demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "this one".
• 映画 - noun that means "movie".
• は - Topic particle that indicates that what follows is the subject of the sentence.
• 本当に - adverb that means "really" or "truly".
• 傑作 - Noun meaning "masterpiece".
• だ - Verb that indicates the existence or identity of the subject of the sentence.

この本は来月に刊行されます。

Kono hon wa raigetsu ni kankō sa remasu

This book will be published next month.

• この - demonstrative "this"
• 本 - noun "book"
• は - Topic particle
• 来月 - noun "next month"
• に - particle of time
• 刊行 - noun "publication"
• されます - passive form of the verb "to do"

この本はどの分類に入りますか？

Kono hon wa dono bunrui ni hairimasu ka?

What category does this book fit in?

What classification is this book?

• この - demonstrative that indicates proximity, in this case, refers to a specific book
• 本 - noun that means book
• は - particle that indicates the theme of the sentence, in this case, the book
• どの - interrogative pronoun that means which
• 分類 - noun meaning classification
• に - particle that indicates the syntactic function of a term in the sentence, in this case, indicates the relationship between the book and the classification
• 入ります - verb that means to enter, in this case, is in the present tense and in the polite form
• か - Particle that indicates a question

この本のジャンルは何ですか？

Kono hon no janru wa nan desu ka?

What is the genre of this book?

• この - demonstrative meaning "this"
• 本 - noun meaning "book"
• の - possessive particle indicating that the book belongs to someone or something
• ジャンル - noun meaning "gender"
• は - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• 何 - interrogative pronoun that means "what"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• か - interrogative particle indicating a question

この標本は貴重な研究資料です。

Kono hyōhon wa kichōna kenkyū shiryō desu

This sample is a valuable research material.

This specimen is a valuable research material.

• この - this
• 標本 - sample
• は - is
• 貴重な - valuable
• 研究 - research
• 資料 - material
• です - is