The root or base of a tree. Origin, foundation, source, one’s own; measure word for books. A tree (木) with a short stroke at its foot marking the root.
本 is 木 (tree) with a short horizontal stroke at the bottom, marking the roots. That mark points to the base or origin, which is why 本 means 'root,' 'origin,' or 'this very.' This is a genuine pictograph, not folk etymology.
Books are counted with 本, not the general measure word 个.
本子 means 'notebook' and 书 means 'book'; combining them is redundant and unnatural.
本 has an extra horizontal stroke at the bottom of 木, turning 'tree' into 'root/origin'.
木 is a tree with branches and roots. Adding a short stroke at the base of 木 creates 本, which points to the root—the origin. So 木 means 'tree' or 'wood', while 本 means 'root', 'origin', or 'this very'. They look similar but the extra stroke changes the meaning completely.
| Character | Meaning | Visual |
|---|---|---|
| 木 | tree, wood | tree with branches and roots |
| 本 | root, origin, counter for books | tree with a mark at the base |
Use 本 to count books, notebooks, and similar bound items.
本 is the dedicated measure word for books, notebooks, magazines, and other bound volumes. For example, 一本书 (one book), 两本本子 (two notebooks). Do not use 个 for books; it sounds unnatural. Also, 本 can stand alone as a noun meaning 'notebook' in words like 本子.
| Phrase | Natural? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 一本书 | Natural | Correct measure word for books |
| 一个书 | Avoid | 个 is too general; use 本 |
| 两本本子 | Natural | 本 counts notebooks |
This playful poem helps you count and practice vocabulary about clothes, students, and pets. Enjoy the rhythm while learning new words.
一两件新衣服， 两三本 汉语书。
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