本 stroke order 本 chinese writing meaning 本 chinese character tattoos

I. The Core Meaning of the Character "本" (běn)

The character "本" is profound in its simplicity. Its core concept is "root," "origin," or "foundation." It is a character that points to the essence, source, or fundamental nature of something.

1. Literal & Original Meaning:

  • Root of a Plant; Foundation: The character is a pictograph. It is formed by adding a short horizontal stroke to the bottom of the character 木 (mù), which means "tree." This stroke highlights the root of the tree, representing the fundamental, foundational part.

2. Figurative & Abstract Meanings:
From this core idea of "root," its meaning expands extensively:

  • Origin; Basis; Source:

    • 本质 (běnzhì) - Essence; true nature.

    • 基本 (jīběn) - Basic; fundamental.

  • This; Current; One's Own: Referring to the "original" or primary one.

    • 本人 (běnrén) - I; me (the person himself/herself).

    • 本国 (běnguó) - One's own country.

  • Book: This meaning comes from the idea of wood-block printing and the "root" or "source" of knowledge. Books were originally made from wood (木).

    • 书本 (shūběn) - Book.

  • Edition; Version: Extending from "book."

    • 剧本 (jùběn) - Script (for a play/film).

3. In Idioms (Chengyu):

  • 本末倒置 (běn mò dào zhì) - To put the root (本) and the tip (末) upside down (to prioritize the trivial over the essential).

  • 追本溯源 (zhuī běn sù yuán) - To trace back to the source; to get to the root of the matter.


II. "本" as a Tattoo: Meanings and Considerations

A tattoo of "本" is a subtle, intellectual, and deeply personal choice. It speaks to identity, values, and one's place in the world.

Common and Positive Meanings:

  1. Staying True to One's Roots: This is the most powerful meaning. It can represent a commitment to remembering one's origins—family, heritage, culture, or hometown. It's a reminder of "where you come from."

  2. Authenticity and Core Self: The tattoo can symbolize staying true to one's essential nature, core values, and authentic self. It means "Never forget who you are at your root."

  3. Foundation and Stability: It can represent the foundational principles, relationships, or beliefs that give your life stability and meaning, much like roots stabilize a tree.

  4. The Pursuit of Essence: For a philosophical person, it can represent a lifelong quest to understand the fundamental truth or essence of things, cutting through the superficial to find the "本質" (běnzhì - essence).

⚠️ Important Considerations & Potential Drawbacks

"本" is a very safe tattoo with no negative connotations. Its main challenge is its subtlety.

  1. Subtle and Intellectual: Its meaning is not immediately obvious like "爱" (love) or "力" (strength). It requires explanation and is appreciated more upon reflection. This can be a positive for those seeking a personal rather than a showy tattoo.

  2. Potential for Ambiguity: Without context, its meaning could be interpreted in several ways (root, book, this). The wearer's personal story gives it its specific significance.

  3. Aesthetics: The character is visually balanced and simple, with strong horizontal and vertical lines. It works well in a clean, minimalist tattoo style. Its connection to a tree (木) can also be incorporated artistically into the design.

Conclusion and Recommendation

The character "本" is a highly sophisticated, meaningful, and highly recommended choice for a tattoo for the right person. It is not for someone seeking a symbol of raw power or passion, but for someone who values depth, authenticity, and introspection.

It is a symbol that can represent:

  • Identity (your roots and authentic self)

  • Stability (your foundational principles)

  • Wisdom (the pursuit of essential truth)

If you are a person who reflects deeply on your origins, values your core principles above all else, and wants a permanent reminder to stay true to yourself, then "本" is a profoundly elegant and powerful emblem. It is a tattoo that speaks not to what you do, but to who you are at your very foundation.

How to Write "本" (Stroke Order)

The stroke order for "本" is straightforward and crucial for its balanced structure.

  1. First: 一 (Horizontal) - The top horizontal stroke.

  2. Second: 丨 (Vertical) - The central vertical stroke.

  3. Third: 丿 (Left-falling) - The left diagonal stroke.

  4. Fourth: ㇏ (Right-falling) - The right diagonal stroke.

  5. Fifth: 一 (Horizontal) - The foundational horizontal stroke at the bottom (the "root" marker).

Writing Tip: The central vertical stroke is the backbone. The bottom horizontal stroke should be visually distinct as the base that anchors the entire character, perfectly reflecting its meaning as the "root."


本字意思【meaning】

本字基本字义解释【Basic meaning】

本běn（ㄅㄣˇ）

⒈  草木的根：本草（泛指中药）。无本之木。

⒉  事物的根源，与“末”相对：本末（头尾；始终）。根本（根源；彻底；本质上）。

⒊  草的茎，树的干：草本植物。

⒋  中心的，主要的：本部。本体。

⒌  原来：本来。本领。

⒍  自己这方面的：本国。本身。本位。本分（fèn ）。

本的异体字【Variant】

  • 夲

  • 楍

本字汉英互译【Chinese-English Translation】

root、this、current、capital、principal

相关字词【Related words】

原末标

造字法【Character Creation】

指事

本的英文翻译【English Translation】

root, origin, source; basis

本字组词【Word Grouping】

开本;本来;一本;本日;舌本;本邦;本身;本质;改本;本瑞;本人;洁本;枣本;孤本;根本;

本字取名的寓意【The meaning of the name】

本字取名寓指初心、本心、委以重任之意。中性字，用字频率为百分名字中使用了1188次，点击查看本字起名

本字取名的含义是什么【What does the name mean?】：

本字取名义指睿智,睿智,阳光之义;

本配什么字最好【What word is best?】

起名本配什么字最好【What word is best?】?本配什么字最好【What word is best?】男孩可配展、原、梁、壹、焕等字起名大气好听的。女孩本字配什么字好听可配娉、蜜、霓、荟、丝等字起名最好听。

与本字搭配的最佳男孩名字【Best boy names that go with this word】

  • ben ming本明

  • ben kuan本宽

  • ben xin本新

  • ben yu本玉

  • zong ben宗本

  • ben hui本辉

与本字搭配的最佳女孩名字【Best girl names that go with this word】

  • ben yuan本媛

  • ben hong本虹

  • ben xuan本萱

  • ben xian本娴

  • ben lian本莲

  • ben li本丽

chinese characters

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