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

A abreviação é chamada "ryakugo" em japonês.

• 略語 - palavra em japonês que significa "abreviação"
• は - Topic particle
• 日本語 - palavra em japonês que significa "língua japonesa"
• で - partícula que indica o meio ou ferramenta utilizada para fazer algo
• 「りゃくご」 - palavra em japonês que significa "abreviação" (escrita em katakana, um dos sistemas de escrita japoneses)
• と - partícula que indica a citação direta de algo dito ou escrito
• 言います - verbo em japonês que significa "dizer"

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

Eu planejo pegar um livro emprestado da biblioteca amanhã.

Eu pretendo alugar um livro da biblioteca amanhã.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - partícula de tópico que indica o tema da frase, neste caso, "eu"
• 明日 (ashita) - Japanese adverb that means "tomorrow"
• 図書館 (toshokan) - substantivo japonês que significa "biblioteca"
• から (kara) - partícula que indica a origem ou ponto de partida, neste caso, "da biblioteca"
• 本 (hon) - Japanese noun meaning "book"
• を (wo) - partícula de objeto direto que indica o objeto da ação, neste caso, "livro"
• 借りる (kariru) - verbo japonês que significa "emprestar"
• 予定 (yotei) - substantivo japonês que significa "plano" ou "programação"
• 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

Eu recomendo este livro para você.

• 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) - partícula que indica o destinatário da ação, neste caso "para"
• この (kono) - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 本 (hon) - noun meaning "book"
• を (wo) - partícula que marca o objeto direto da frase, neste caso "livro"
• 勧めます (susumemasu) - verb meaning "recommend"

私は本を刷ります。

Watashi wa hon o surimasu

Eu imprimo livros.

Eu imprimo um livro.

• 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) - partícula de objeto direto que indica o objeto da ação, neste caso "livro"
• 刷ります (suraimasu) - verbo que significa "imprimir"

私は日本語を教えることができます。

Watashi wa nihongo wo oshieru koto ga dekimasu

Eu posso ensinar japonês.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 日本語 (nihongo) - substantivo que significa "língua japonesa"
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 教える (oshieru) - verbo que significa "ensinar"
• 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

Eu tenho planos de ficar no Japão.

Eu pretendo ficar no Japão.

• 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) - partícula que indica o destino ou localização, neste caso "no Japão"
• 滞在する (taizai suru) - verbo que significa "ficar" ou "permanecer"
• 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

Eu estou estudando exclusivamente japonês.

Estou estudando japonês exclusivamente.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 専ら (senra) - advérbio que significa "exclusivamente"
• 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) - nome próprio que significa "Japão"
• 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"