本
本 in useful words
Learn the character in complete words, because its pronunciation can change with context. Read each word aloud, connect it with the meaning, and then cover the reading to test yourself.
- 本ほん
- book
- 日本語にほんご
- Japanese language
- 一本いっぽん
- one long, cylindrical object
Reading 本 in context
本 (ほん) means book when used on its own. 日本語 (にほんご, Japanese language) contains the same ほん sound, but the word does not mean “book language.” Meaning also depends on the complete word.
Try it in a sentence
Practice sentence written for this site.
日本語の本を読みます。
にほんごの ほんを よみます。
I read a book in Japanese.
Watch for this: 本 is also a counter for long objects. 一本 is いっぽん, not いちほん; one book is normally 一冊 (いっさつ). Notice the extra short horizontal stroke that distinguishes 本 from 木.
Check yourself: Does 一本 mean one book? How do you read it?
一本 is いっぽん, usually one long, cylindrical object.
The counter 本 has a different use from the noun 本. Use 一冊 (いっさつ) to count one book.
Choose your next practice
For reading, cover a word’s pronunciation and recall it before checking. For handwriting, hide the stroke diagram and write the character from memory. An isolated reading list is a reference; the word determines which sound you need.