本 (běn) - Meaning, Stroke Order, Words & Examples

Q: What does 本 (běn) mean in Chinese?

The Chinese character 本 (běn) means "Root / Origin / This / (Measure word for books)". It is an HSK Level 1 character, with 5 strokes and the radical 木.

Q: How do you write 本 stroke by stroke?

本 has 5 strokes. The radical is 木. Follow the standard stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. Practice with stroke animation to build muscle memory.

Q: What's the difference between 本 and 木?

本 (běn) and 木 look similar but differ in meaning and usage. Check the radical and stroke count to tell them apart.

Q: What mistakes do learners make writing 本?

Common mistake: incorrect stroke order or miswriting the radical 木. Pay attention to the proportion between components — keep the radical compact.

Q: What common words use 本?

Common words containing 本 include: 书本 (shū běn) — Book; 本子 (běn zi) — Notebook / Book; 本来 (běn lái) — Originally / At first.

How to Write 本

The character 本 (běn) is written with 5 strokes. Follow the standard Chinese stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. The radical 木 is one of its key components.

Practice the correct stroke order with the Hanzi Writer app to see animated stroke-by-stroke guidance with real-time feedback.

Meaning & Pronunciation

本 is pronounced běn in Mandarin Chinese. It means Root / Origin / This / (Measure word for books).

As an HSK Level 1 character, 本 is among the first characters beginners learn.

Common Words with 本

书本 shū běn

Book

本子 běn zi

Notebook / Book

本来 běn lái

Originally / At first

Example Sentences

桌上有很多书本。

zhuō shàng yǒu hěn duō shū běn

There are many books on the table.

我买了一个新本子。

wǒ mǎi le yí gè xīn běn zi

I bought a new notebook.

我本来不想去。

wǒ běn lái bù xiǎng qù

I didn't want to go originally.

Similar Characters

木 mù

未 wèi

末 mò

Practice Writing 本 (běn)

Open Hanzi Writer to see the animated stroke order and practice writing 本 with real-time feedback.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 本

What does 本 (běn) mean in Chinese?

How do you write 本 stroke by stroke?

What's the difference between 本 and 木?

What mistakes do learners make writing 本?

What common words use 本?

How to Write 本 (běn)