本(běn): (bound form) root
HSK 15 strokes
(bound form) root
Stroke order animation
Character information
- Pinyin
- běn
- Meaning
- (bound form) root; stem; (bound form) origin; source; (bound form) one's own; this; (bound form) this; the current (year etc); (bound form) original; (bound form) inherent; originally; initially; capital; principal; classifier for books, periodicals, files etc
- Strokes
- 5
- HSK level
- HSK 1
- Traditional
- Same
Origin & structure
Where 本 comes from and how its parts fit together.
How to write 本 step by step
5 strokes — each frame adds one stroke, shown in dark ink over the lighter ones.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Words with 本
Common words using 本 — tap any character to open its stroke-order page.
Related characters
Ready to master 本?
Trace 本 stroke by stroke in the online practice tool, or turn it into a printable worksheet PDF with Tianzige practice grids, pinyin, and stroke-order breakdowns.