本 (běn)

(bound form) root; stem; (bound form) origin; source; (bound form) one

Etymology

Addition of a horizontal line toward the bottom of 木 (tree) to represent the roots of the tree.

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》：“本，木下曰本。从木，一在其下。楍，古文。”

Components

Example sentences

  1. 拿本书读！ — Take a book and read it.
  2. 这是日本。 — Here is Japan.
  3. 看这本书。 — Read this book.
  4. 这本书小。 — This book is small.
  5. 基本上吧。 — Basically.

View all 50 example sentences for 本 →