Definitions
(noun)
root; origin; source
(adjective)
original; inherent
(adjective)
this; current
(classifier)
classifier for books and periodicals
Etymology
Addition of a horizontal line toward the bottom of 木 (tree) to represent the roots of the tree.
About
The character "本" is constructed from "木" for tree, with a horizontal stroke added at the base to indicate the roots, giving it the initial meaning of tree root. From this concrete reference, its meaning expanded to include origin, basis, and source, leading to later applications such as book for a foundational text and the demonstrative this for denoting the fundamental or present entity. The character's structure comprises the tree component with the root-denoting stroke below.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我有一本书。
这本书很有趣。
我本来想去公园。
这是基本的原则。
成本有点高。
根本问题还没解决。
本人对此事负责。
根据本公司的规定，员工必须按时上班。