本

• 拼音: běn
• 汉字拆解: 本 = 木 (tree) + a stroke at the base indicating the root — 'origin', now also a measure word for books

含义

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.

例句

1. 我买了三本书。
2. 桌子上有一本书。
3. 这本书很好看。

用法指南

语境: school, reading, everyday

语气: neutral

正确说法

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

错误说法

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

起源与历史

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.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal