本 běn — root, origin · English

本

běn

root, origin

At a glance · 本

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Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested：oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

甲骨文、金文在「木」下部加一横，指事标示树根所在。隶楷作「本」。

What the sketch shows

Origins & notes

「本」本指草木之根，引申为根本、原本。

Structure

指事字，在「木」下加标记表示根部。

At a glance

Pinyinběn

Radical木

Strokes5

UnicodeU+672C

Character type指事

Theme植物

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English root, origin Root (of a tree); basis, original.

Français racine, origine Racine (d'arbre); base, original.

Español raíz, origen Raíz (de árbol); base, original.

العربية جذر، أصل جذر الشجرة أو الأصل.

Русский корень, основа Корень (дерева); основа, изначальный.

Common words

本子běn zibook
根本gēn běnroot

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