What does 本人 mean in Chinese?

本人 (běn rén) means "the person himself; I (humble form used in speeches); oneself; myself; in person; personal" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 5.

How do you pronounce 本人?

本人 is pronounced "běn rén" in Mandarin Chinese. It is made up of 2 syllables.

What HSK level is 本人?

本人 is an HSK 5 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 6 on the old exam, HSK 5 on the new one.

What characters make up 本人?

本人 is made up of the characters 本, 人. Each character has its own meaning and can appear in other words.

How do you write 本人?

You can practice writing 本人 using our stroke order tool.

本人 (běn rén), the person himself

本人

běn rén

the person himself; I (humble form used in speeches); oneself; myself

HSK 5 Was HSK 6

Characters in This Word

本人

Definitions

the person himself
I (humble form used in speeches)
oneself
myself
in person
personal

Example Sentences

本人不在，请留言。

Běnrén bú zài, qǐng liúyán

I'm not here, please leave a message

Related Words

人身(rén shēn)· person

→

一个萝卜一个坑(yī gè luó bo yī gè kēng)· lit. every turnip to its hole (idiom)

→

一夔已足(yī kuí yǐ zú)· one talented person is enough for the job (idiom)

→

一般人(yī bān rén)· average person

→

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 5
HSK 2.0: HSK 6
HSK Lord study list: HSK 5 list

本人: HSK 6 on the old exam, HSK 5 on the new one. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 5 exam

Studying for HSK 5? Keep 本人 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each word comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 5 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.