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:

読者は本を読むことが好きです。

Dokusha wa hon o yomu koto ga suki desu

Readers like to read books.

Readers like reading books.

• 読者 (yomikata) - reader
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 本 (hon) - book
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 読む (yomu) - read
• こと (koto) - abstract noun indicating action or event
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 好き (suki) - like
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

送り仮名は日本語の文章で重要な役割を果たします。

Sorikana wa nihongo no bunsho de juuyou na yakuwari wo hatashimasu

The sending of Kana plays an important role in Japanese sentences.

• 送り仮名 - means "send kana", which are the characters added to Japanese words to indicate their correct pronunciation.
• 日本語 - means "Japanese language".
• 文章 - means "sentence" or "text".
• 重要 - means "important".
• 役割 - means "role" or "function".
• 果たします - is a verb that means "to fulfill" or "to execute".

造船は日本の重要な産業の一つです。

Zōsen wa Nihon no jūyōna sangyō no hitotsu desu

Naval construction is one of Japan's important industries.

• 造船 - Shipbuilding
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 日本 - Japan
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 重要な - Important
• 産業 - Indústria
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 一つ - I’m sorry, but I cannot assist with that.
• です - Verb to be in the polite form

取れるところまで取ってみよう。

Toreru tokoro made totte miyou

Let's try to get where we can.

Let's take it to the point where you can get it.

• 取れるところまで - as far as it is possible to take
• 取って - take
• みよう - let's try