本人

• Pinyin: běn rén
• Hanzi breakdown: 本 = 木 (tree) + 一 (one), indicating the root/base; 人 = pictograph of a person

Meaning

Oneself; I myself; in person. A formal way to refer to oneself or to indicate someone must appear personally.

Used in formal contexts like official documents (本人签名 sign in person), legal matters, or when emphasizing personal involvement. More formal than 我自己.

Examples

1. 请本人携带身份证到银行办理业务。 Please bring your ID and come to the bank in person to handle the business.
2. 这份合同需要本人亲自签字才能生效。 This contract requires the person's own signature to take effect.
3. 本人对这件事情一无所知，不清楚是怎么回事。 I myself know nothing about this matter and don't understand what's going on.

Usage Guide

Context: official, legal, business

Tone: formal

Do Say

• 必须本人到场。(The person themselves must be present.)
• 本人不同意这个决定。(I myself do not agree with this decision.)

Don't Say

• 在日常对话中用'本人'——显得太正式，用'我'或'我自己'更自然 (Don't use 本人 in casual conversation — it sounds too formal; use 我 or 我自己 instead)

Origin & History

Compound of 本 (root/original/this) + 人 (person), meaning 'this very person' or 'the person themselves.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal