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

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

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:

略語は日本語で「りゃくご」と言います。

Ryakugo wa nihongo de "ryakugo" to iimasu

The abbreviation is called "Ryakugo" in Japanese.

• 略語 - Word in Japanese that means "abbreviation".
• は - Topic particle
• 日本語 - Japanese word that means "Japanese language"
• で - particle that indicates the means or tool used to do something
• 「りゃくご」 - Word in Japanese that means "abbreviation" (written in katakana, one of the Japanese writing systems)
• と - particle that indicates the direct quote of something said or written
• 言います - Japanese verb meaning "to say"

私は明日図書館から本を借りる予定です。

Watashi wa ashita toshokan kara hon wo kariru yotei desu

I plan on borrowing a book from the library tomorrow.

I plan to rent a book from the library tomorrow.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 明日 (ashita) - Japanese adverb that means "tomorrow"
• 図書館 (toshokan) - Japanese noun meaning "library"
• から (kara) - particle indicating the origin or starting point, in this case, "from the library"
• 本 (hon) - Japanese noun meaning "book"
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action, in this case, "book"
• 借りる (kariru) - Japanese verb meaning "to lend"
• 予定 (yotei) - Japanese noun meaning "plan" or "schedule"
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates formality and courtesy in the Japanese language

私はあなたにこの本を勧めます。

Watashi wa anata ni kono hon o susumeru

I recommend this book to you.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• あなた (anata) - personal pronoun meaning "you"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the recipient of the action, in this case "to"
• この (kono) - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 本 (hon) - noun meaning "book"
• を (wo) - particle that marks the direct object of the sentence, in this case "book"
• 勧めます (susumemasu) - verb meaning "recommend"

私は本を刷ります。

Watashi wa hon o surimasu

I print books.

I print a book.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 本 (hon) - noun meaning "book"
• を (wo) - direct object particle that indicates the object of the action, in this case "book"
• 刷ります (suraimasu) - verb that means "to print"

私は日本語を教えることができます。

Watashi wa nihongo wo oshieru koto ga dekimasu

I can teach Japanese.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 日本語 (nihongo) - Japanese language
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 教える (oshieru) - verb that means "teach"
• ことができます (koto ga dekimasu) - expression that indicates the ability or possibility of doing something

私は図書館から本を借りました。

Watashi wa toshokan kara hon o karimashita

I borrowed a book from the library.

I borrowed a book from the library.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 図書館 (toshokan) - noun meaning "biblioteca"
• から (kara) - grammatical particle that indicates origin or starting point
• 本 (hon) - noun meaning "book"
• を (wo) - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 借りました (karimashita) - "borrowed"

私は日本に滞在する予定です。

Watashi wa Nihon ni taizai suru yotei desu

I have plans to stay in Japan.

I intend to stay in Japan.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 日本 (nihon) - noun meaning "Japan"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates destination or location, in this case "in Japan"
• 滞在する (taizai suru) - "Verb" means "to stay" or "to remain".
• 予定 (yotei) - Noun that means "plan" or "schedule"
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates formality and the present tense of the sentence

私は専ら日本語を勉強しています。

Watashi wa mattaku nihongo o benkyou shiteimasu

I am studying Japanese exclusively.

I am studying Japanese exclusively.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 専ら (senra) - adverb meaning "exclusively"
• 日本語 (nihongo) - noun meaning "Japanese" (language)
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 勉強しています (benkyou shiteimasu) - compound verb meaning "I am studying"

私は日本で生まれました。

Watashi wa Nihon de umaremashita

I was born in Japan.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 日本 (nihon) - proper name meaning "Japan"
• で (de) - particle indicating the place where the action took place
• 生まれました (umaremashita) - verb meaning "to be born" in the educated past

私は日本語を習っています。

Watashi wa Nihongo wo naratteimasu

I'm learning Japanese.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 日本語 (nihongo) - noun meaning "Japanese" or "Japanese language"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 習っています (naratteimasu) - verb meaning "I'm learning"