Meanings of 本
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About 本
Podcast: 本
Podcast: 本
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AI Study Notes for 本
书 (shū, book) — use 本 when emphasizing the original or physical version, while 书 is a general term for 'book' without that emphasis.
本 (běn) is often used in both formal and informal contexts, so it is versatile. Be careful with its classifier usage; for example, you would say 一本书 (yī běn shū) for 'one book.' A common mistake is confusing it with similar-sounding characters like 份 (fèn) which is used for portions or shares.
As an HSK Level 1 word, 本 (běn) connects well with other basic vocabulary like 书 (shū) for 'book' and 这 (zhè) for 'this.' Focus on its classifier use and practice sentences involving books and origins to reinforce your understanding.
Learners often misuse 本 in contexts that require a different classifier, such as using it for people or non-book items. For example, saying '一本人' (yī běn rén) is incorrect; the correct form is 一个 (yī gè) for 'one person.'
Pronunciation of 本
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Etymology of 本
Addition of a horizontal line toward the bottom of 木 (tree) to represent the roots of the tree.
A tree 木 with its roots highlighted
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 本
Addition of a horizontal line toward the bottom of 木 (tree) to represent the roots of the tree.
- 1The giveawayA tree 木 with its roots highlighted
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 本? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 本?
Decomposition of 本
Identify the Components
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How to say roots or stems of plants in Chinese
“roots or stems of plants” in Chinese is本
The character 本 (běn) primarily refers to the root or origin of something, often used to denote the basis or foundation of an idea or object. It is commonly used as a classifier for books and documents, indicating the physical or original version of a text.
When to use 本
本 (běn) is often used in both formal and informal contexts, so it is versatile. Be careful with its classifier usage; for example, you would say 一本书 (yī běn shū) for 'one book.' A common mistake is confusing it with similar-sounding characters like 份 (fèn) which is used for portions or shares.
本 or something close to it
书 (shū, book) — use 本 when emphasizing the original or physical version, while 书 is a general term for 'book' without that emphasis.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 本 in contexts that require a different classifier, such as using it for people or non-book items. For example, saying '一本人' (yī běn rén) is incorrect; the correct form is 一个 (yī gè) for 'one person.'
Write 本
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Practice writing 本 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 本
本 functions as a pronoun — it stands in for a noun. Use it in the same positions as nouns (subject before verb, object after). Plurals are formed by adding 们 (我们, 他们). It carries 13 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
三____书。
Three books.
Example Sentences for 本 (16)
Word Family of 本
Compound Meaning
What does 体 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 本
When used as a classifier, 本 refers specifically to books, documents, or any bound material, indicating the original or physical version.
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