本 (běn) - root, origin, foundation & basis, source

本Tone 3

běn ｜ 5 strokes ｜ radical: 木

傲不

本 · běn

root, origin, foundation;

basis, source;

this, current, present;

book, volume;

edition;

originally, essentially;

classifier for books

root, origin, foundationbasis, sourcethis, current, present

Usage highlights

bookfundamentaloriginallyJapancapitalsample

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 末— end, tip (opposite of root/origin)
  • 标— symptom, superficial (opposite of fundamental)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • This is my book (本书).
  • He is Japanese (日本人).
  • We need to understand the fundamental principles (根本原则).
  • The company's headquarters is in Beijing (本公司总部).

Collocations

  • book(书本)
  • fundamental(基本)
  • originally(本来)
  • Japan(日本)
  • capital(资本)
  • sample(样本)

Idioms

  • To trace to the source(追本溯源)
  • To discard the essential and pursue the trivial(舍本逐末)
  • To return to one's original simplicity(返本还源)
  • To forget one's origin(忘本)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted a tree with roots marked, emphasizing the concept of origin and foundation.
  • Used in naming to convey stability, authenticity, and connection to one's roots.
  • Appears in many compound words related to books, fundamentals, and national identities (e.g., 日本).

FAQ