本(ほん)

ほん

noun

book

1. book

A bound publication with pages, including novels, textbooks, manga, and other printed materials. The most common word for 'book' in Japanese.

本(ほん)を読(よ)む。

I read a book.

この本(ほん)は面白(おもしろ)い。

This book is interesting.

図書館(としょかん)で本(ほん)を借(か)りた。

I borrowed a book from the library.

新(あたら)しい本(ほん)を買(か)いたいけど、何(なに)がいいか分(わ)からない。

I want to buy a new book, but I don't know what's good.

寝(ね)る前(まえ)に本(ほん)を読(よ)むのが好(す)きで、毎晩(まいばん)少(すく)なくとも三十分(さんじゅっぷん)は読(よ)んでいる。

I like reading books before bed and read for at least 30 minutes every night.

本(ほん) is the most common word for book, covering novels, textbooks, manga, and other publications.

Common expressions

本(ほん)を読(よ)む: to read a book
本(ほん)を借(か)りる: to borrow a book
本(ほん)を返(かえ)す: to return a book
本屋(ほんや): bookstore

Usage

As a counter for long, thin objects (pens, bottles, trees), and also for films, phone calls and home runs, with readings ほん, ぼん, or ぽん depending on the number.

As a prefix meaning 'this' or 'main':

本日(ほんじつ): today (formal)
本店(ほんてん): main store/headquarters
本人(ほんにん): the person in question

Related Words

Synonym: 書籍(しょせき) (book (formal))

Related: 〜冊(さつ) (counter used for books)

Related: 雑誌(ざっし) (magazine)

Related: 書棚(しょだな) (bookshelf)

Compare: 著書(ちょしょ) (written work)

Compare: 尾(び) (counter for fish and shrimp)

Compare: 冊子(さっし) (booklet)

basic

Added 2026.1.5 19:34 · Revised 2026.10.14 9:24

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