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:

私は日本語を覚えるために毎日勉強しています。

Watashi wa nihongo o oboeru tame ni mainichi benkyou shiteimasu

I study Japanese every day to keep myself sharp.

I study every day to learn Japanese.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 日本語 (nihongo) - noun meaning "Japanese"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "japonês"
• 覚える (oboeru) - verb that means "to remember" or "to learn"
• ために (tameni) - expression meaning "for" or "in order to"
• 毎日 (mainichi) - noun that means "every day"
• 勉強しています (benkyou shiteimasu) - The expression that means "I am studying"

私の国籍は日本です。

Watashi no kokuseki wa Nihon desu

My nationality is Japan.

My nationality is Japan.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 国籍 (kokuseki) - noun that means "nationality"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 日本 (Nihon) - noun meaning "Japan"
• です (desu) - verb to be in the present, indicating that the nationality is Japanese

短歌を詠むことは日本の伝統的な文化です。

Tanka wo utamu koto wa Nihon no dentōteki na bunka desu

Composing tanka is a traditional Japanese culture.

Writing a tanka is a traditional Japanese culture.

• 短歌 - a type of Japanese poem with 31 syllables
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 詠む - verb meaning "to recite" or "to sing" a poem
• こと - noun that indicates an action or event
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 日本 - Japan
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 伝統的な - adjective meaning "traditional"
• 文化 - cultura
• です - verbo "ser" no presente afirmativo

生存は人間にとって最も基本的な欲求の一つです。

Seizon wa ningen ni totte mottomo kihonteki na yokkyū no hitotsu desu

Survival is one of the most basic needs for human beings.

Survival is one of the most basic needs for human beings.

• 生存 - survival
• 人間 - Human being
• にとって - for
• 最も - the most
• 基本的な - fundamental
• 欲求 - wish
• の - of
• 一つ - I'm sorry, but I need the text you would like me to translate. Please provide the content for translation.
• です - is

畜産は日本の重要な産業の一つです。

Chikusan wa Nihon no juuyou na sangyou no hitotsu desu

A pecuária é uma das indústrias importantes do Japão.

O gado é uma das importantes indústrias do Japão.

• 畜産 - produção animal
• は - Topic particle
• 日本 - Japan
• の - Possession particle
• 重要な - important
• 産業 - indústria
• の - Possession particle
• 一つ - I'm sorry, but I need the text you would like me to translate. Please provide the content for translation.
• です - Ser/estar (linking verb)

獲物を追いかけるのは猟師の本能だ。

Kamimono wo oikakeru no wa ryoushi no honnou da

Chasing prey is the instinct of a hunter.

It is the hunter's instinct to stalk his prey.

• 獲物 (えもの) - presa
• を - object particle
• 追いかける (おいかける) - perseguir
• のは - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 猟師 (りょうし) - caçador
• の - Possession particle
• 本能 (ほんのう) - instinto
• だ (だ) - verb to be in the present

熟語を覚えるのは日本語学習の基本です。

Jukugo wo oboeru no wa nihongo gakushuu no kihon desu

Learning idioms is fundamental to learning Japanese.

It's the basics of learning Japanese to learn idioms.

• 熟語 - jukugo - Japanese compound words
• を - wo - object particle
• 覚える - oboeru - memorize, remember
• のは - no wa - Topic particle
• 日本語 - nihongo - Japanese language
• 学習 - gakushuu - Study, learning
• の - Não Possession particle
• 基本 - kihon - basic, fundamental
• です - is (a Japanese copula, often used to indicate a state of being) verb to be, to stay

漁業は日本の重要な産業の一つです。

Gyogyo wa Nihon no juuyou na sangyou no hitotsu desu

A pesca é uma das indústrias importantes do Japão.

A pesca é uma das indústrias importantes do Japão.

• 漁業 - fishing
• は - Topic particle
• 日本 - Japan
• の - Possession particle
• 重要な - important
• 産業 - indústria
• の - Possession particle
• 一つ - I'm sorry, but I need the text you would like me to translate. Please provide the content for translation.
• です - is

漢語は日本語に多くの影響を与えました。

Kango wa nihongo ni ooku no eikyou wo ataemashita

As palavras chinesas tiveram uma grande influência no japonês.

Os chineses tiveram muita influência nos japoneses.

• 漢語 (kan go) - Palavra em japonês que significa "palavras chinesas".
• は (wa) - Partícula gramatical em japonês que indica o tópico da frase.
• 日本語 (ni hon go) - Palavra em japonês que significa "língua japonesa".
• に (ni) - Partícula gramatical em japonês que indica a relação de direção ou destino.
• 多くの (ooku no) - Expressão em japonês que significa "muitos" ou "muito".
• 影響を与えました (eikyou wo ataemashita) - Frase em japonês que significa "teve muita influência".

棚に本を置いてください。

Tana ni hon o oite kudasai

Please put the books on the shelf.

Put the book on the shelf.

• 棚 (tana) - prateleira
• に (ni) - particle indicating location
• 本 (hon) - book
• を (wo) - particle indicating direct object
• 置いて (oite) - verb "to put"
• ください (kudasai) - expression of request or solicitation