本 (běn) — measure word for books
HSK 1 | measure word | classifier for bound volumes
本 (běn)
A measure word used specifically for books, notebooks, and other bound volumes. 本 also means "root," "origin," or "this" in other contexts, but as a measure word it always refers to bound materials.
Meanings
- [measure word] Classifier for books, notebooks, and bound volumes.
- [noun] Root, origin, fundamental. Used in other compound words.
What 本 counts
本 is used with:
- 书 (shū): books — 一本书 (one book)
- 杂志 (zázhì): magazines — 一本杂志 (one magazine)
- 词典 (cídiǎn): dictionaries — 一本词典 (one dictionary)
- 笔记本 (bǐjìběn): notebooks — 一本笔记本 (one notebook)
- 漫画 (mànhuà): comic books — 一本漫画 (one comic book)
Example Sentences
我有一本汉语书。 Wǒ yǒu yī běn Hànyǔ shū. I have one Chinese language book.
她买了两本小说。 Tā mǎile liǎng běn xiǎoshuō. She bought two novels.
这本词典很有用。 Zhè běn cídiǎn hěn yǒuyòng. This dictionary is very useful.
图书馆里有很多本书。 Túshūguǎn lǐ yǒu hěn duō běn shū. There are many books in the library.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 一本书 | one book |
| 一本杂志 | one magazine |
| 两本词典 | two dictionaries |
| 这本书 | this book |
| 那本笔记本 | that notebook |
Common Learner Mistake
Do not use 个 for books. Saying 一个书 is incorrect. The correct measure word for books and bound publications is always 本. The same applies to notebooks and magazines.