本

本

🔊 běn = b + (e)n3

root / stem / origin / source / this / the current / original / inherent / originally / classifier for books, periodicals, files etc

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How to pronounce 本

MandarinBanana teaches pronunciation with the Marilyn Method: every Pinyin syllable is one initial plus one final, the initial becomes a person, an animal or a deity, and the final becomes a place in your memory palace — with the tone deciding which part of that place the scene happens in. Remember the little story below for each half and the whole syllable comes back with them.

běn

= b initial

B is for Beelzebub.

By Matthias • updated 4 months ago

☆

+ (e)n3 final

In the encampment’s living room.

By Matthias • updated 6 months ago

☆

本 character breakdown

Chinese characters are built out of smaller characters. Each component carries a mnemonic symbol - one concrete object that stands in for it - and a mnemonic story hands those objects to the person and the place that stand for the pronunciation. Learn a component once and every character that reuses it gets easier.

• 本
  • 一
  • 木
    • 八
      • 丿
      • ㇏
    • 十
      • 一
      • 丨

Component Translations

一

🔊 yī = y + Ø1

one / single / a (article) / as soon as / entire; whole; all; throughout / "one" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 1) / also pr. [yao1] for greater clarity when spelling out numbers digit by digit

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木

🔊 mù = mu + Ø4

(bound form) tree / (bound form) wood / unresponsive; numb; wooden

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Characters with 本 as component

笨 体 苯 砵 钵 缽 鉢 呠 躰

笨

🔊 bèn = b + (e)n4

stupid / foolish / silly / slow-witted / clumsy

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体

體

🔊 tǐ = ti + Ø3

body / form / style / system / substance / to experience / aspect (linguistics)

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苯

🔊 běn = b + (e)n3

benzene / benzol (chemistry)

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