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本
本
5 strokes
Frequency: 10
JLPT N4
Grade 1

Meanings

book
present
main
origin
true
real
counter for long cylindrical things

Readings

On — Chinese-derived reading, usually for compounds
ホン
Kun — Native Japanese reading, usually for standalone words
もと
Nanori — Specialized readings used in names
まと
ごう

Common Words

本当
ほんとう
ほんと
～な Adj.
～の Adj.
Freq #120
1

Common noun

truth; reality; actuality; fact

Examples
その悪い知らせは残念ながら本当だ。
The bad news is unfortunately true.
2

proper; right; correct; official

3

genuine; authentic; real; natural; veritable

本
ほん
Freq #357
1

Common noun

book; volume; script

Examples
昨日はその本を８０ページまで読んだ。
I read the book up to page 80 yesterday.
2

Prefix

this; present; current; ... in question; ... at issue

Examples
性能のよさとデザインの優美さが両々相まって本機種の声価を高めてきた。
The high performance and the elegant design of this model have combined to give it a high reputation.
3

Prefix

main; head; principal

4

Prefix

real; genuine; regular; proper

5

Counter

counter for long, cylindrical things; counter for films, TV shows, etc.; counter for goals, home runs, etc.; counter for telephone calls

Examples
ウイスキーを１本持っています。
I have a bottle of whiskey.
元
本
素
基
もと
Freq #377
1

Common noun; Esp. 元

origin; source; beginning

Examples
憲政の危機が始まったのは、このような状況のもとであった。
It was under these circumstances that the constitutional crisis began.
やってしまったことは元に戻らない。
What is done cannot be undone.
2

Common noun; Oft. 基

basis; base; foundation; root

Examples
私たちは人をその人の人格を基に判断しようと考えるかもしれないが、それらは一見したところでははっきりわからないものである。
Although we may intend to judge a person on the basis of his or her personal qualities, they are not visible at first sight.
このシステムのもとでは、生徒は交替で教えあい、お互いに助け合わなければなりません。
The basis of this system is that the students must take turns in teaching, they have to help each other.
3

Common noun; Also written as 因, 原

cause

Examples
その事務員は過労がもとで死んだ。
The clerk died from overwork.
4

Common noun; Esp. 素

(raw) material; ingredient; base; mix (e.g. for a cake); (soup) stock

5

元 only; Common noun

(one's) side

Examples
彼はなぜ妻が彼のもとを去ったのかわからなかった。
He had no idea why his wife left him.
6

元 only; Common noun

capital; principal; cost price

7

Common noun

root (of a plant); (tree) trunk

8

Common noun

part (of a brush, chopsticks, etc.) one holds (with the hand)

9

Common noun

first three lines of a waka

10

本 only; Counter

counter for plants or trees

11

本 only; Counter

counter for falcons (in falconry)

本気
ほんき
～な Adj.
Noun
～の Adj.
Freq #712
1

Usu. 本気で

seriousness; earnestness; truth; sanctity

Examples
ケンさん、君は本気かい。
Are you on the level, Ken?
日本
にほん
にっぽん
Noun
Freq #803
1

Japan

Examples
日本は中国の東方にある。
Japan is to the east of China.
本人
ほんにん
Noun
Freq #873
1

the person in question; the person themselves; said person

Examples
あなた本人が彼女に話さなければならない。
You must talk to her in person.
本来
ほんらい
Noun
～の Adj.
Freq #1157
1

Adverb (fukushi)

originally; primarily

Examples
この詩は本来フランス語で書かれていた。
This poem was originally written in French.
2

Adverb (fukushi)

essentially; intrinsically; naturally; by nature; in (and of) itself

Examples
競争は本来悪いものではない。
Competition is not by nature evil.
3

proper; rightful; legal; normal

本当に
ほんとうに
ほんとに
Adverb
Freq #1446
1

really; truly

Examples
あなた達は本当に素敵なお客だ。
You're such a lovely audience.
本物
ほんもの
Noun
～の Adj.
Freq #1473
1

genuine article; real thing; real deal

Examples
これは本物のダイヤではないかもしれない。
This may not be a real diamond.
一本
１本
いっぽん
Freq #1595
1

Common noun

one long cylindrical thing; one film, TV show, etc.; one goal, home run, etc.; one telephone call

Examples
「もう一本くれ」と彼が言った。
"Give me a fresh bottle," he said.
2

Common noun

one version

3

Common noun

one book; a certain book

4

Common noun; Martial arts

ippon; one point; a blow

5

Common noun

geisha

6

Noun, used as a suffix; After a noun, usu. as 〜一本で, 〜 一本に, etc.

single-minded focus on ...

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Memory Mnemonics

Keywords

The core concepts or meanings associated with this specific kanji.

book

Constituents

The visual building blocks used to craft this character's story.

🧩 wood
一 one
木 tree

Mnemonic Stories

One tree can make many books.

🎓

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