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:

本質を見極めることが大切です。

Honshitsu wo mikiwameru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to discern the essence of things.

It is important to determine the essence.

• 本質 - means "essence" in Japanese.
• を - Particle that indicates the object of the action.
• 見極める - verb meaning "to discern" or "to distinguish" in Japanese.
• こと - noun meaning "thing" or "fact" in Japanese.
• が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 大切 - adjective meaning "important" or "valuable" in Japanese.
• です - verb that indicates the current state of the sentence, equivalent to the verb "ser" in Portuguese.

本物の品質を持つ製品が欲しいです。

Honmono no hinshitsu wo motsu seihin ga hoshii desu

I want a product with real quality.

• 本物の品質を持つ - genuine quality
• 製品 - product
• 欲しい - wish
• です - Is (verb to be in the present tense)

机の上に本が置いてあります。

Moto no ue ni hon ga oite arimasu

There is a book on the table.

There is a book on the table.

• 机 (máquina) - noun that means table or desk
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 上 (ue) - noun that means on top, at the top
• に (ni) - particle indicating location
• 本 (hon) - noun that means book
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 置いて (oite) - verb that means to place or put
• あります (arimasu) - verb that means to exist or to be present

東京は日本の首都です。

Tōkyō wa Nihon no shuto desu

Tokyo is the capital of Japan.

• 東京 - Tokyo, city name
• は - Topic particle
• 日本 - Japan, country name
• の - Possession particle
• 首都 - capital
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

栄養は健康の基本です。

Eiyou wa kenkou no kihon desu

A nutrição é a base da saúde.

• 栄養 - nutrição
• は - Topic particle
• 健康 - health
• の - Possessive particle
• 基本 - Base, foundation
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

梅干は日本の伝統的な保存食品です。

Umeboshi wa Nihon no dentōteki na hozon shokuhin desu

Umeboshi is a traditional preserved Japanese food.

• 梅干 - umeboshi, a Japanese pickled plum
• は - Topic particle
• 日本 - Japan
• の - Possession particle
• 伝統的な - tradicional
• 保存食品 - preserved food
• です - verb to be in the polite form

歌謡は日本の伝統的な音楽ジャンルです。

Kayou wa Nihon no dentouteki na ongaku janru desu

Kayo is a traditional Japanese music genre.

• 歌謡 - Japanese folk song
• は - Topic particle
• 日本 - Japan
• の - Possession particle
• 伝統的な - tradicional
• 音楽 - music
• ジャンル - genre
• です - Verb ser/estar (polite form)

民謡は日本の伝統音楽です。

Min'yo wa Nihon no dentou ongaku desu

Músicas folclóricas são música japonesa tradicional.

• 民謡 - música folclórica
• は - Topic marking particle
• 日本 - Japan
• の - Possession particle
• 伝統 - tradição
• 音楽 - music
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

漢字は日本語の重要な要素です。

Kanji wa nihongo no juuyou na youso desu

Kanji is an important factor in Japanese.

• 漢字 - Kanji (Chinese characters used in Japanese writing)
• は - Topic particle
• 日本語 - Japanese language
• の - Possessive particle
• 重要な - Important
• 要素 - Element
• です - Verb to be in the polite form

片仮名は日本語のアルファベットの一部です。

Katakana wa nihongo no arufabetto no ichibu desu

Katakana is part of the Japanese alphabet.

• 片仮名 - Japanese characters used to write words of Japanese origin
• は - Topic particle
• 日本語 - Japanese language
• の - Possessive particle
• アルファベット - alfabeto
• の - Possessive particle
• 一部 - part
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present