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:

私は日本語を勉強しています。

Watashi wa Nihongo o benkyou shiteimasu

I'm studying Japanese.

I'm studying Japanese.

• 私 - means "I" in Japanese.
• は - is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I".
• 日本語 - means "Japanese" in Japanese.
• を - is a grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "Japanese".
• 勉強 - means "study" in Japanese.
• しています - is a conjugation of the verb "suru" which indicates action in progress, in this case, "I'm studying".

本能に従って行動する。

Hon'nō ni shitagatte kōdō suru

Acting on instinct.

Act on instinct.

• 本能に - instinct
• 従って - follow
• 行動する - Act

Translation - Act following instinct.

饂飩は日本の伝統的な食べ物です。

Udon wa Nihon no dentō teki na tabemono desu

Udon is a traditional Japanese food.

Udon is a traditional Japanese food.

• 饂飩 - Udon, a type of Japanese noodle
• は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 日本 - Japan
• の - grammatical particle that indicates possession or relationship
• 伝統的な - Traditional
• 食べ物 - food
• です - verb to be in the polite form

醤油は日本の伝統的な調味料です。

Shouyu wa Nihon no dentouteki na choumiryou desu

Soy sauce is a traditional Japanese seasoning.

• 醤油 - shoyu (soy sauce)
• は - Topic particle
• 日本 - Nihon (Japan)
• の - Possessive particle
• 伝統的な - dentoutekina (traditional)
• 調味料 - choumiryou (condiment)
• です - desu (verb to be)

風俗は日本の文化の一部です。

Fūzoku wa Nihon no bunka no ichibu desu

Customs is part of Japanese culture.

• 風俗 - costumes/traditions
• は - Topic particle
• 日本 - Japan
• の - Possession particle
• 文化 - culture
• の - Possession particle
• 一部 - part
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

この映画の脚本は素晴らしいです。

Kono eiga no kyakuhon wa subarashii desu

The script for this film is wonderful.

• この - Demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "this one".
• 映画 - noun that means "movie".
• の - Particle that indicates possession or relationship.
• 脚本 - noun that means "script".
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 素晴らしい - adjective meaning "wonderful" or "excellent".
• です - verb "to be" in the present tense and polite form.

鉄道は日本の交通手段の一つです。

Tetsudou wa Nihon no koutsu shudan no hitotsu desu

The railways are one of the means of transportation in Japan.

The railway is one of Japan's means of transport.

• 鉄道 - Means "railway" in Japanese.
• は - is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "railroad".
• 日本 - Means "Japan" in Japanese.
• の - is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates possession or belonging, in this case, "of Japan".
• 交通手段 - means "means of transport" in Japanese.
• の - again, it indicates possession or belonging, in this case, "of means of transport".
• 一つ - means "one" in Japanese, in this case, "one of the means of transport".
• です - It is a polite way to say "is" in Japanese.

進化は生命の本質です。

Shinka wa seimei no honshitsu desu

Evolution is the essence of life.

Evolution is the essence of life.

• 進化 - evolution
• は - Topic particle
• 生命 - life
• の - Possession particle
• 本質 - essence
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

選挙は民主主義の基本です。

Sensen wa minshu shugi no kihon desu

Elections are the foundation of democracy.

Elections are the basics of democracy.

• 選挙 - Election
• は - Topic particle
• 民主主義 - democracy
• の - Possession particle
• 基本 - foundation, base
• です - verb to be in the polite form

衆議院は日本の国会の一つです。

Shugiin wa Nihon no kokkai no hitotsu desu

The House of Representatives is one of the Japanese houses of parliament.

The House of Representatives is one of the Japanese diet.

• 衆議院 - Shugiin (House of Representatives)
• は - Topic particle
• 日本 - Nihon (Japan)
• の - Possession particle
• 国会 - Kokkai (Parliament)
• の - Possession particle
• 一つ - hitotsu (um)
• です - desu (is)