本
Character Breakdown
本 = 木 + 一
A line at the root of a tree — origin, book
Radical: 木 (no. 75)Strokes: 5
View stroke order →Definitions
- (classifier) root
- stem
- origin
- source
- this
- the current
- original
- inherent
- originally
- classifier for books, periodicals, files etc
Example Sentences
一本书。
Yī běn shū
One book
Words Containing 本
Related Words
Grammar Notes
Basic Sentence Order (SVO)HSK 1
Subject + (Time) + (Place) + Verb + Object
Basic Measure Words (个, 本, 杯)HSK 1
Number / 这 / 那 + Measure Word + Noun
Completed Action with 了HSK 1
Subject + Verb + 了 + Object
Number + Measure Word + NounHSK 1
Number + Measure Word + Noun
Question Word Questions (什么, 谁, 哪)HSK 1
Same as statement, but replace the unknown element with a question word
HSK levels
- New HSK exam
- HSK 1
- HSK 2.0
- HSK 1
- HSK Lord study list
- HSK 1 list
本: HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam. 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 1 exam
Studying for HSK 1? Keep 本 with the rest of your level.
HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.
Frequently Asked Questions
Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.