本 Kanji – book
The Japanese kanji 本 can mean book, present, main, origin, true, real, counter for long cylindrical things.
Meaning and Readings
How is 本 read?
本 has the onyomi reading ホン and the kunyomi reading もと.
In romaji, these readings can be written as hon, moto.
Common Japanese Words Using 本
These common Japanese words contain 本. Select linked kanji to explore their meanings and readings.
- 本の（ほんの） — mere, only, just, slight
- 一本（いっぽん） — one long cylindrical thing, one film, TV show, etc., one goal, home run, etc., one telephone call
- 絵本（えほん） — picture book
- 基本（きほん） — basics, fundamentals, basis, foundation
- 基本的（きほんてき） — fundamental, basic
- 脚本（きゃくほん） — script, screenplay, scenario
- 見本（みほん） — sample, specimen, pattern
- 見本市（みほんいち） — trade fair
- 元本（がんぽん） — principal (invest.), capital
- 原本（げんぽん） — the original, original copy, script