The Chinese word **书本 (shūběn)** is a **compound noun** formed through a common morphological process where the root word **书 (shū)**, meaning "book" or "writing," is combined with the **associated measure word 本 (běn)**, which is the standard classifier for bound volumes like books. This combination creates a more abstract or general collective noun that emphasizes the concept of "book" as a physical, countable object or as a category, rather than a specific instance. It contrasts with using 书 alone, as 书本 often carries a slightly more formal or academic tone, referring to books as material or as a source of knowledge (e.g., "book learning").