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:

基本に忠実に生きる。

Kihon ni chūjitsu ni ikiru

Live true to the basics.

Live faithfully to the basics.

• 基本 - means "foundations" or "basic principles".
• に - is a particle that indicates the relationship between two things, in this case, between "基本" and "忠実".
• 忠実 - means "loyal" or "faithful".
• に - again the particle that indicates the relationship between "忠実" and "生きる".
• 生きる - means "to live".

外相は日本の外交政策を担当します。

Gaisou wa Nihon no gaikou seisaku wo tantou shimasu

The foreign minister is responsible for Japanese foreign policy.

• 外相 - Minister of Foreign Affairs
• は - Topic marking particle
• 日本 - Japan
• の - Possessive particle
• 外交政策 - Foreign policy
• を - Direct object particle
• 担当します - Responsible for

天皇は日本の象徴的存在です。

Tennou wa Nihon no shouchouteki sonzai desu

The emperor is a symbol of Japan.

• 天皇 - Emperor of Japan
• は - Topic particle
• 日本 - Japan
• の - Possession particle
• 象徴的 - symbolic
• 存在 - existence
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

小屋にはたくさんの本があります。

Koya ni wa takusan no hon ga arimasu

In the cabin there are many books.

There are many books in the cabin.

• 小屋 (koya) - It means "cabana" or "cottage" in Japanese.
• に (ni) - a particle that indicates the location of something
• は (wa) - a particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "na cabana"
• たくさん (takusan) - means "many" or "much" in Japanese
• の (no) - a particle that indicates possession or belonging, in this case "of the books"
• 本 (hon) - It means "books" in Japanese.
• が (ga) - a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "the books"
• あります (arimasu) - means "there are" or "there is" in Japanese

工芸は日本の伝統文化の一つです。

Kōgei wa Nihon no dentō bunka no hitotsu desu

Crafts are one of the traditional Japanese cultures.

• 工芸 - Craftsmanship
• は - Topic particle
• 日本 - Japan
• の - Possessive particle
• 伝統 - Tradition
• 文化 - Culture
• の - Possessive particle
• 一つ - I’m sorry, but I cannot assist with that.
• です - Ser/estar (linking verb)

平等は人間の基本的な権利です。

Heidou wa ningen no kihonteki na kenri desu

Equality is the basic law of humans.

• 平等 - equality
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 人間 - Human being
• の - Particle that indicates possession
• 基本的な - fundamental
• 権利 - right
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

彼は多くの本を著した。

Kare wa ooku no hon o aratashita

He wrote many books.

• 彼 (kare) - he
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 多くの (ooku no) - many
• 本 (hon) - books
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 著した (chosha shita) - wrote

彼は本当に奴だ。

Kare wa hontō ni yatsu da

He really is a guy.

• 彼 - The Japanese pronoun that means "he" is 彼 (かれ, kare).
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "he".
• 本当に - Japanese adverb that means "really" or "truly"
• 奴 - Japanese noun that can be used pejoratively to refer to a person, in this case "he"
• だ - Japanese verb that indicates the affirmative present form, in this case "is"

忘れることは人間の本性です。

Wasureru koto wa ningen no honshou desu

Forgetting is human nature.

• 忘れること - forget
• は - Topic particle
• 人間 - Human being
• の - Possession particle
• 本性 - essential nature
• です - verb to be in the polite form

慣用句は日本語の表現を理解する上で重要です。

Kanyouku wa nihongo no hyougen wo rikai suru ue de juuyou desu

The Institute of Ideas is important for understanding Japanese expressions.

• 慣用句 - Idiomatic expressions
• は - Topic particle
• 日本語 - Japanese language
• の - Possessive particle
• 表現 - expression
• を - Direct object particle
• 理解する - to understand
• 上で - In the perspective of
• 重要 - Important
• です - Verb to be