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:

五十音は日本語の基本的な音の組み合わせを表します。

Gojūon wa nihongo no kihonteki na oto no kumiawase o hyō shimasu

The 1950s indicate the basic combination of the Japanese sound.

• 五十音 - means "fifty sounds" and refers to the set of Japanese characters used to represent sounds and syllables.
• 日本語 - means "Japanese language".
• 基本的な - means "basic" or "fundamental".
• 音 - means "sound" or "musical note".
• 組み合わせ - means "combination" or "arrangement".
• 表します - means "represents" or "shows".

僕は日本語を勉強しています。

Boku wa nihongo wo benkyou shiteimasu

I'm studying Japanese.

I'm studying Japanese.

• 僕 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 日本語 - noun meaning "Japanese" or "Japanese language"
• を - object particle indicating the direct object of the action
• 勉強 - verb meaning "study" or "learn"
• しています - present form of the verb "suru" (to do) with the suffix "teiru" that indicates an action in progress

六月に日本に行きます。

Rokugatsu ni Nihon ni ikimasu

I will go to Japan in June.

• 六月 - June
• に - Time or location indication
• 日本 - Japan
• に - Time or location indication
• 行きます - will (verb to go in the future)

内閣は日本の政府の最高機関です。

Naikaku wa Nihon no seifu no saikō kikan desu

The cabinet is the maximum organ of the Japanese government.

The cabinet is the highest institution of the Japanese government.

• 内閣 - Cabinet, the executive body of the Japanese government
• は - Topic marking particle
• 日本 - Japan, Asian country
• の - Possession particle
• 政府 - government, set of bodies responsible for public administration
• の - Possession particle
• 最高 - highest, "supreme"
• 機関 - organ, "institution"
• です - Polite form of "to be" or "to stay"

再来月に日本に行きます。

Sairai tsuki ni Nihon ni ikimasu

I go to Japan next month.

I will go to Japan again next month.

• 再来月 (sairaimotsuki) - means "next month again" or "the month following the next one."
• に (ni) - a particle that indicates destination or location.
• 日本 (nihon) - the name of the country Japan.
• に (ni) - again, the particle that indicates the destination or location.
• 行きます (ikimasu) - the verb "to go" in the present/future polite.

再来年に日本に行きたいです。

Sairainen ni Nihon ni ikitai desu

I want to go to Japan next year.

I want to go to Japan again next year.

• 再来年 (sairainen) - means "in the following year" or "two years from now".
• に (ni) - a particle that indicates destination or location.
• 日本 (nihon) - the name of the country Japan.
• に (ni) - again, the particle that indicates the destination or location.
• 行きたい (ikitai) - means "to want to go".
• です (desu) - a particle that indicates the conclusion of the sentence and is used to express politeness.

動詞は日本語の文法で重要な役割を果たします。

Doushi wa nihongo no bunpou de juuyou na yakuwari wo hatashimasu

The verb plays an important role in Japanese grammar.

• 動詞 (doushi) - verb
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 日本語 (nihongo) - Japanese language
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 文法 (bunpou) - grammar
• で (de) - Location particle
• 重要 (juuyou) - important
• な (na) - adjective particle
• 役割 (yakuwari) - role/function
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 果たします (hatashimasu) - perform/fulfill

北海道は日本の北にあります。

Hokkaido wa Nihon no kita ni arimasu

Hokkaido is located in northern Japan.

• 北海道 - Name of the region located in northern Japan.
• は - Grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 日本 - Name of the country where the region of Hokkaido is located.
• の - A grammatical particle that indicates possession or belonging.
• 北 - Character that means "north".
• に - Grammatical particle that indicates the direction or the place where something is.
• あります - Verb "to be" in the polite form, indicating the existence of something.

商社は日本のビジネスに欠かせない存在です。

Shōsha wa Nihon no bijinesu ni kakasenai sonzai desu

Trading companies are indispensable for Japanese business.

• 商社 - Empresa comercial
• は - Topic particle
• 日本の - From Japan
• ビジネス - business
• に - target particle
• 欠かせない - indispensable
• 存在 - existence
• です - Verb "to be"

国語は日本語の中でも特に重要な言語です。

Kokugo wa Nihongo no naka demo toku ni juuyou na gengo desu

Language is a particularly important language in Japanese.

• 国語 - national language
• は - Topic particle
• 日本語 - Japanese language
• の - Possession particle
• 中でも - among them
• 特に - Especially
• 重要な - important
• 言語 - Tongue
• です - verb to be in the polite form