Japanese Kanji

hon

book · present · main

Grade 1 · JLPT N4 · 5 strokes

Readings

  • ONホンhon
  • KUNもとmoto

Meaning

Book, present, main, origin, true, real, counter for long cylindrical things.

Stroke order for 本

本 is taught in grade 1 of Japanese elementary school — one of the earliest kanji children learn. In the JLPT proficiency test it appears at N4 (elementary) level. With 5 strokes, this character appears in numerous compound words throughout written Japanese.

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