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:

本文を読んでください。

Honn bun wo yonde kudasai

Por favor, leia este texto.

Por favor, leia o texto.

• 本文 - significa "texto" em japonês.
• を - Object particle in Japanese.
• 読んで - forma verbal do verbo "ler" em japonês, no imperativo.
• ください - expressão que significa "por favor" em japonês, usada para fazer um pedido educado.

本来の自分を取り戻す。

Honrai no jibun wo torimodosu

Recover your true self.

Recover your original self.

• 本来の - "original" or "real"
• 自分 - "myself"
• を - Particle that indicates the object of the action
• 取り戻す - "recover" or "resume"

本館は大きな図書館です。

Honkan wa ookina toshokan desu

The main library is large.

The main building is a large library.

• 本館 - means "main building" or "primary building"
• は - topic particle, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• 大きな - adjective that means "big" or "spacious"
• 図書館 - means "library"
• です - verb "to be" in the present, used to indicate the existence or nature of something

東京都は日本の首都です。

Tōkyō to wa Nihon no shuto desu

Tóquio é a capital do Japão.

Tóquio é a capital do Japão.

• 東京都 - Tóquio
• は - Topic particle
• 日本 - Japan
• の - Possession particle
• 首都 - capital
• です - is

曲線美は日本の美意識の一つです。

Kyuusenbi wa Nihon no biishiki no hitotsu desu

A beleza das curvas é uma das sensibilidades estéticas do Japão.

A beleza da curvatura é uma das estéticas do Japão.

• 曲線美 - beleza das curvas
• は - Topic marking particle
• 日本 - Japan
• の - Possession particle
• 美意識 - senso de beleza
• 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 - verb to be in the polite form

書き取りは日本語の勉強にとても役立ちます。

Kakitori wa nihongo no benkyou ni totemo yakudachimasu

Writing is very useful for studying Japanese.

Writing is very useful for studying Japanese.

• 書き取り - escrita
• は - Topic particle
• 日本語 - Japanese language
• の - Possession particle
• 勉強 - estudo
• に - target particle
• とても - very
• 役立ちます - To be useful

日本の旗は白地に赤い円が描かれています。

Nihon no hata wa shiroji ni akai en ga egakarete imasu

The flag of Japan has a red circle designed on a white background.

The Japanese flag has a red circle on a white background.

• 日本の旗 - Flag of Japan
• は - Topic particle
• 白地 - White background
• に - Location particle
• 赤い - Vermelho
• 円 - Círculo
• が - Subject particle
• 描かれています - It's designed

文語を学ぶことは日本語を深く理解するために重要です。

Bungo wo manabu koto wa Nihongo wo fukaku rikai suru tame ni juuyou desu

Learning Bungo is important for understanding Japanese deeply.

Learning phrases are important for deep understanding of Japanese.

• 文語 - It means "written language" or "classical Japanese".
• を - Particle that indicates the object of the action.
• 学ぶ - verb that means "study" or "learn".
• こと - Noun meaning "thing" or "fact".
• は - Particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 日本語 - It means "Japanese".
• を - Particle that indicates the object of the action.
• 深く - adverb that means "deeply".
• 理解する - verb that means "to understand" or "to comprehend".
• ために - expression that means "for" or "in order to".
• 重要です - adjetivo que significa "importante".

日本には美しい山脈がたくさんあります。

Nihon ni wa utsukushii sanmyaku ga takusan arimasu

There are many beautiful mountain ranges in Japan.

There are many beautiful mountains in Japan.

• 日本 - Japan
• に - particle indicating destination or location
• は - topic particle, which indicates the main subject of the sentence
• 美しい - belo/a
• 山脈 - Mountain chain
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• たくさん - many
• あります - verb "existir" in the present affirmative

日本は美しい国です。

Nihon wa utsukushii kuni desu

Japan is a beautiful country.

Japan is a beautiful country.

• 日本 - Japan
• は - Topic particle
• 美しい - belo
• 国 - country
• です - Ser/estar (polite form)