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:

この台本は素晴らしいですね。

Kono daihon wa subarashii desu ne

This script is wonderful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 台本 - noun that means "script" or "screenplay"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 素晴らしい - adjective that means "wonderful" or "excellent"
• です - verb to be in the polite form
• ね - final particle that indicates a rhetorical question or a confirmation

この本の版は最新版です。

Kono hon no han wa saishinban desu

The version of this book is the latest version.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 本 - noun meaning "book"
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words
• 版 - noun that means "edition" or "version"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 最新版 - compound noun that means "latest version"
• です - verb "to be" in the polite and affirmative form

この本のタイトルは何ですか？

Kono hon no taitoru wa nan desu ka?

What is the title of this book?

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 本 - noun meaning "book"
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• タイトル - noun that means "title"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 何 - interrogative pronoun that means "what"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• か - Particle that indicates a question

この本の著者は誰ですか？

Kono hon no chosha wa dare desu ka?

Quem é o autor deste livro?

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 本 - noun meaning "book"
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words
• 著者 - substantivo que significa "autor"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 誰 - interrogative pronoun meaning "who"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• か - Particle that indicates a question

この本は編集が必要です。

Kono hon wa henshū ga hitsuyō desu

Este livro precisa de edição.

Este livro requer edição.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 本 - noun meaning "book"
• は - partícula de tópico que indica que o assunto da frase é "este livro"
• 編集 - substantivo que significa "edição" ou "revisão"
• が - partícula de sujeito que indica que "edição" é o sujeito da frase
• 必要 - adjective meaning "necessary" or "essential"
• です - linking verb indicating that the sentence is in the present tense and is affirmative

この本は絶版になってしまった。

Kono hon wa zetuban ni natte shimatta

This book is out of circulation.

This book is exhausted.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 本 - noun meaning "book"
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 絶版 - out of stock
• に - particle indicating action or state in a given place or time
• なってしまった - verb "なる" in the past form and with the particle "しまう" which indicates a completed action or an unwanted result

この本はとても気に入りました。

Kono hon wa totemo ki ni irimashita

I really liked this book.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 本 - noun meaning "book"
• は - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case, "this book"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 気に入りました - verb meaning "I liked it very much", composed of the following elements -
  • 気 - noun meaning "feeling", "emotion" or "will"
  • に - particle indicating an action towards something or someone, in this case, "like"
  • 入りました - verb meaning "to enter", but in this context it is used as an idiomatic expression indicating "to like very much"

この本にはミスプリントがある。

Kono hon ni wa misupurinto ga aru

This book contains an printing error.

This book has a wrong impression.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 本 - noun meaning "book"
• に - particle that indicates the action of "in"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• ミスプリント - noun that means "printing error"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• ある - Verb that means "to exist"

この本はとてもわかりやすい解説が書かれています。

Kono hon wa totemo wakariyasui kaisetsu ga kakarete imasu

Este livro tem uma explicação muito fácil de entender.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 本 - noun meaning "book"
• は - partícula de tópico que indica que o livro é o tema da frase
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• わかりやすい - adjetivo que significa "fácil de entender"
• 解説 - substantivo que significa "explicação"
• が - partícula de sujeito que indica que a explicação é o sujeito da frase
• 書かれています - verbo passivo que significa "foi escrito"

この本は有名な作家の著作です。

Kono hon wa yuumei na sakka no chosaku desu

Este livro é uma obra de um escritor famoso.

Este livro é um escritor famoso.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 本 - noun meaning "book"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 有名な - adjective meaning "famous"
• 作家 - noun that means "writer"
• の - partícula de posse que indica que o escritor é o dono da obra
• 著作 - substantivo que significa "obra literária"
• です - verb "to be" in the polite and polite form