本 (this / our side)

Chinese Grammar Advanced Chinese ★★★★ 4/5 formal běn
拼音 běn
结构 本 + Noun
汉字拆解 本 = 木 (tree) + 一 (one/mark at the base), indicating the root of a tree

含义

本 (běn) is used as a prefix meaning 'this' or 'our' when referring to one's own organization, group, or entity. It creates a formal, institutional reference to the speaker's own side, common in official and professional contexts.

本 as a prefix differs from its other meanings (such as 'book' or 'originally'). In this usage, it establishes an official identity — 本公司 (our company), 本校 (our school), 本人 (I myself / the person in question). It is inherently formal and institutional, never used in casual conversation to refer to personal possessions or close relationships. 本 implies authority and formality — it is the language of official notices, company policies, legal documents, and formal correspondence. Unlike 我们的 (our) which is neutral, 本 carries gravitas and institutional weight.

例句

  1. 本公司将于下月起实施新的考勤制度。
  2. 本次活动由市政府主办。
  3. 本人对以上内容的真实性负全部责任。

用法指南

语境: written, official documents, business

语气: official

正确说法

  • 本店每天营业时间为早上九点至晚上十点。
  • 本协议自双方签字之日起生效。
  • 本部门需要在月底前完成年度报告。

错误说法

  • 本妈妈做的饭很好吃。(本 is used for institutions and formal entities, not personal relationships) → 我妈妈做的饭很好吃。
  • 我在本家里看电视。(本 cannot modify casual, personal spaces — it is reserved for official or institutional contexts) → 我在家里看电视。

起源与历史

本 originally meant 'root' or 'origin' in Classical Chinese, referring to the base of a tree. Its meaning extended to 'this' or 'one's own' — the root or home base from which one speaks.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal

相关短语

就 (limiting scope) 就 (jiù) can be used to limit or narrow the scope of a statement, meaning 'just' or 'only regarding.' In this usage, 就 restricts the subject, object, or range of an action to a specific domain. 性 (indicating a characteristic) 性 (xìng) is a suffix added to words to indicate a characteristic, quality, or nature. It transforms adjectives, verbs, and nouns into abstract nouns describing properties or tendencies, similar to English suffixes '-ity,' '-ness,' or '-ability.' 是否 (whether or not) 是否 (shìfǒu) means 'whether or not' or 'is or is not.' It introduces an embedded yes-no question, typically in formal or written contexts, asking whether something is the case. 毕竟 (after all) 毕竟 (bìjìng) means 'after all' or 'when all is said and done.' It introduces a reason or fact that should be considered as a mitigating factor, often used to justify or explain something despite other circumstances. 以...的名义 (in the name of) 以...的名义 (yǐ...de míngyì) means 'in the name of' or 'under the guise of.' It indicates that an action is performed using a particular identity, authority, or pretext as justification or cover. 兼 (concurrently / at the same time) 兼 (jiān) indicates that a subject simultaneously holds two roles, possesses two qualities, or performs two functions at the same time. It conveys the idea of combining or doing double duty. 再三 (over and over again) 再三 (zàisān) means 'over and over again' or 'repeatedly.' It is used before a verb to emphasize that an action has been done multiple times, often with a sense of earnestness or insistence. 凡是 (as long as / all that) 凡是 (fánshì) means 'all that,' 'every,' or 'as long as it is.' It introduces a universal category or condition, asserting that everything meeting the stated criterion shares the same outcome or characteristic.
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