本

• Pinyin: běn
• Hanzi breakdown: 本 = 木 (tree) + a stroke at the base indicating the root — 'origin', now also a measure word for books

Meaning

Measure word for books, magazines, and bound volumes.

The most common measure word for books and similar bound items: 一本书 (a book), 三本杂志 (three magazines). Also has an adjective meaning of 'this' or 'original' (本人, oneself; 本来, originally), but the measure word usage is most frequent at HSK 1.

Examples

1. 我买了三本书。 I bought three books.
2. 桌子上有一本书。 There is a book on the table.
3. 这本书很好看。 This book is great.

Usage Guide

Context: school, reading, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你有几本书？(How many books do you have?)
• 我看了两本。(I've read two.)

Don't Say

• 一本报纸 (Don't use 本 for newspapers — use 份 for newspapers and 张 for single sheets)

Origin & History

Originally a pictograph of a tree (木) with a horizontal stroke at the base, pointing to the root. The original meaning was 'root' or 'origin', later extended to a measure word for bound books.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal